Oral Motor Control

Occupational Therapist to Promote Oral Motor Skills

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At Occupational Therapy Associates, it is our mission to address Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). This includes facial expression, communication and texture aversion and self-feeding. Sometimes we overlook movements needed to express ourselves and chew, Eating is defined as the ability to manipulate food/fluid, in your mouth, and then swallow it. With that said, feeding is when you arrange your food or fluid and then bring it towards your mouth. Both of these actions take multiple movements to be done correctly. Occupational therapist, Maryann, as decades of experience working with all ages, to discover personalized eating and feeding solutions that lead to growth and development. We offer in-home and virtual appointments in North Nashville, to include Castalian Springs, Gallatin, Hendersonville, Lebanon and Portland area.  Call us at (615) 270-1033 to learn more or book a consultation.

What is Oral Motor Development?

Oral Motor Development is the function of your lips, tongue, teeth, jaw, and the hard and soft pallets all working together to enable communication and self expression. All of these parts move in different ways and for different reasons. The way that they coordinate is vital for speech, safe swallowing, and the consumption of foods and fluids.

Example of Oral Motor Skills that We Address

  • Jaw Thrust
  • Exaggerated Jaw Movements
  • Jaw Instability
  • Jaw Clenching
  • Jaw Retraction
  • Biting
  • Chewing
  • Drooling
  • Tongue Retraction
  • Tongue Protraction
  • Tongue Thrust
  • Oral Motor Control for Aphasia
  • Oral Motor Facilitation
  • Texture Aversions