Understanding Oral Motor Deficits in Children: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
As children develop and grow, they acquire numerous skills necessary for effective communication and oral functions. However, some children may experience challenges with oral motor skills, known as oral motor deficits. These deficits can have a significant impact on a child's ability to speak, eat, and engage in various activities requiring precise oral coordination. In this blog post, we will explore the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for oral motor deficits in children.
Understanding Oral Motor Deficits:
Oral motor deficits refer to difficulties in the muscles and structures involved in oral movements. These deficits can manifest in various ways, affecting speech, feeding, swallowing, and overall oral coordination. The precise cause of oral motor deficits can be complex and multifactorial, involving a combination of genetic, neurological, anatomical, or developmental factors.
GENERAL Causes:
Developmental Delays: Some children may experience delays in the development of their oral motor skills. These delays can occur due to various factors, such as prematurity, low birth weight, or other developmental disorders.
Neurological Conditions: Certain neurological conditions, including cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, or Down syndrome, can affect the functioning of the muscles involved in oral movements.
Structural Abnormalities: Structural abnormalities in the mouth, jaw, or face, such as cleft lip or palate, can contribute to oral motor deficits by disrupting the coordination of oral movements.
Sensory Processing Issues: Children with sensory processing difficulties may struggle with the sensory feedback required for proper oral motor coordination.
Symptoms:
The symptoms of oral motor deficits can vary depending on the underlying cause and the specific area of oral function affected. Here are some common signs and symptoms:
Speech Difficulties: Children with oral motor deficits may exhibit challenges in articulation, producing certain speech sounds, or coordinating the movements necessary for fluent speech.
Feeding and Swallowing Difficulties: Oral motor deficits can lead to difficulties with chewing, biting, and swallowing food, resulting in poor weight gain, aversions to certain food textures, or choking during meals.
Drooling: Excessive drooling beyond the typical developmental stage can be a sign of oral motor deficits.
Limited Tongue or Lip Movement: Children with oral motor deficits may have restricted tongue or lip movements, impacting their ability to engage in activities such as licking, blowing, or puckering.
Treatment Options:
The treatment of oral motor deficits in children requires a multidisciplinary approach involving speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and other healthcare professionals. The treatment plan may include the following:
Oral Motor Therapy: This therapy focuses on improving muscle strength, coordination, and control through various exercises and activities targeting the mouth, tongue, and facial muscles.
Feeding Therapy: A speech-language pathologist or occupational therapist specialized in feeding therapy can assist in addressing specific feeding and swallowing difficulties, providing strategies and techniques to improve oral skills during mealtimes.
Assistive Devices: In some cases, assistive devices such as specialized utensils, adaptive seating, or oral appliances may be recommended to facilitate oral motor function.
Sensory Integration Therapy: For children with oral motor deficits associated with sensory processing issues, sensory integration therapy can help improve their sensory awareness and regulation.
If you are the parent of a child experiencing symptoms similar to those listed above, we are here to support you and provide the resources needed to build confidence in your child and their abilities. Because many children face these challenges, we have a variety of treatment plans and at-home solutions available to you. We want you to feel at peace within our care! Contact our speech-language pathologists today to discuss your concerns: https://www.greatergoodtherapy.com/contact