Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy Program

During the evaluation, our OMT specialists will assess the strength and movement of your child’s lips, tongue, jaw, cheeks and palate. In addition, they will evaluate your child’s ability to chew food, move food around in their mouth, and swallow food and liquids. They may also evaluate your child’s speech skills if needed. You may bring your own food and drink, or food can be provided. 

Pictures and video of your child will be taken as part of the evaluation as a baseline of their oral structure and skills. Pictures and video are kept private and confidential.

Here are some questions you might be asked at the evaluation:

• Does your child snore?
• Is your child a picky, messy, slow or fast eater? Do they avoid certain foods?
• Does eating seem like a lot of work for your child?
• Does your child have any behaviors during mealtimes?
• Is your child self-conscious of their eating or speech?
• Have you seen an orthodontist? 
• Does your child have an open mouth while eating?
• Is your child’s mouth open often during the day?

After the evaluation is completed, the OMT specialist will analyze and review all the testing results and discuss the results with you. The evaluation will determine if there is a need for therapy and if any other referrals are needed.

Our OMT specialists work closely with the following departments to determine the best treatment plan for your child:

• Dentistry
• Orthodontics
• Allergy
• Sleep medicine
• Otolaryngology

If you’re concerned that your child may have an orofacial myofunctional disorder, an evaluation with an OMT specialist is recommended.

To schedule an appointment, first obtain an order or referral from your primary care physician and then call 1.800.543.7362 (1.800.KIDS DOC) to schedule an orofacial myofunctional evaluation. Should specific questions arise, families are welcome to contact the Department of Speech-Language Pathology at 312.227.6320 or by e-mail at speechdepartment@luriechildrens.org.