Many children have undergone traditional speech therapy for an extended period with limited improvement before finding the Myofunctional Clinic of Bellevue. This clinic is dedicated to identifying the root causes of speech articulation issues. It addresses common speech disorders such as lateral lisps, where air escapes from the sides of the tongue instead of the center, and frontal lisps, characterized by forward tongue placement, affecting sounds like /t/, /d/, /n/, /l/, /s/, /z/, /sh/, /j/, /ch/, and distortions of the /r/ sound in all word positions.

At this clinic, every patient undergoes a comprehensive orofacial myofunctional evaluation to ascertain if structural or functional factors contribute to their speech articulation difficulties. Children who rely on excessive lip and facial movements, exhibit a forward or lateral sliding motion of the lower jaw, or show minimal lower jaw movement, may have a restricted tongue range of motion due to an anterior or posterior tongue tie. If a child's progress in traditional speech articulation therapy for correcting frontal or lateral lisp patterns is slow, it is possible they have an oromyofunctional disorder. This condition is characterized by the tongue resting in a forward or lateral position against the teeth, along with an improper swallowing pattern.

To address various speech issues stemming from underlying causes, the clinic employs a unique program known as "Myo-Speech." This program combines myofunctional therapy with specialized techniques to enhance oral stability, which in turn facilitates better mobility of the speech articulators, including the tongue, lips, and jaw. The structure of the oral cavity is also crucial for proper speech articulation, and early orthodontic intervention can prevent the development of abnormal compensatory patterns.

For parents, discerning whether their child will naturally overcome speech difficulties can be challenging. It's not uncommon for pediatricians to suggest a "wait and see" approach to see if a child's speech errors will resolve on their own. However, the longer dysfunctional oral habits persist, the harder they become to alter. A speech-language pathologist with expertise in orofacial myology possesses the necessary tools and knowledge to assess whether a child's speech concerns will diminish over time or if therapy is required. Contact us to begin the assessment process.