Oral Function

(Infants - Toddlers)

NOTE: Services for "Oral Function" are specifically tailored for infants through toddlers (3+ years old). If your child is four years old or above, you should review our "Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy" page

Common Signs and Symptoms

There is no exclusive list of signs and symptoms for infants or toddlers who may need oral function therapy. Some of the more common signs and symptoms Catherine has successfully treated include:

Pre-Crawling Infants Infants/Toddlers

• Difficulty with latching/nursing • Tongue ties, lip ties, cheek (buccal) ties

• Difficultly with oral-functioning for feeding • Mouth breathing

• Tongue ties, lip ties, and cheek (buccal) ties • Low tongue posture

• Drooling

• Extended time thumb sucking or pacifier use (6+ months)

• Delayed or unintelligible speech

• Messy eating

Pre-Crawling Baby Oral Function

Evaluation and Therapy

Catherine's evaluation and therapy includes, but is not limited to:

Assesses for oral-motor dysfunction and TOTs, prepare for TOTs release, improve oral-function post-release
Works collaboratively with lactation, frenectomy providers, and all other relevant professionals to aide in successful nursing or bottle feeding
If breastfeeding, it is recommended that the parents also work with a lactation professional (e.g. IBCLC, CLC, CBS) to fully assess the dyad, baby, and mom. We have some recommendations if not already working with one. Our evaluation focuses only on the baby.

(Newborns - 5/6 months; Precrawling age)

Infant (6 month+) and Toddler Oral Function

Evaluation and Therapy

Catherine's evaluation and therapy includes, but is not limited to:

Assesses for oral-motor dysfunction and TOTs, prepare for TOTs release, improve oral-function post-release.
Assesses speech as well as feeding, chewing, and swallowing skills. Treatment provided as needed
Work collaboratively with other team members, such as OT, PT, bodywork, lactation, release providers, etc.

(6 months - 3 years old)

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