Research

New Response Paper

Current Research in the Field of Oral-Motor, Muscle-Based Therapies:

Response to: Logic, Theory and Evidence Against the Use
of Non-Speech Oral Motor Exercises to
Change Speech Sound Productions by Gregory Lof
Jennifer A. Bathel, M.S., CCC-SLP

Recent literature, publications, commentaries, and presentations have emphasized the need for evidence-based research in the substantiation of oral-motor or muscle-based non-speech therapy practices (Apel, 1999; Baker & McLeod, 2004; Gierut, 1998). Out of the same claims are cautions against oral-motor therapy approaches independent of, and in conjunction with, traditional speech therapy (Clark, 2003, 2005; Forrest, 2002; Hodge, 2002; Lof, 2003; Lof, 2006; Moore & Ruark, 1996; Strand & Sullivan, 2001). It has been argued that oral-motor exercises do not prepare, strengthen, or improve movement of the oral musculature required for accurate speech production (Bowen, 2005; Clark, 2003; Forrest, 2002; Hodge, 2002; Lof, 2003), but rather, train muscles for non-speech movements.
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Current research project

Sara R. Johnson & Associates is currently engaged in research to document the interaction between orthodontic correction of an open bite and muscle-based intervention for tongue thrust and reverse swallow patterns. This study will help determine any relationship between correction of an open bite and habitual oral-motor patterning, and if muscle-based techniques can play a part in retaining corrected orthodontic procedures.

Sara R. Johnson & Associates is also beginning research to determine the relationship between speech production of the /s/ and /z/ phonemes and the oral-motor abilities of typically developing 4-5 year-old children. Our aim is to gather normative data for oral-motor skills to optimally assess and describe skills in disordered populations presenting with muscle-based deficits.

TalkTools^®/ITI /Sara R. Johnson & Associates are beginning research efforts to validate therapy practices that have been seen to work in therapeutic settings with specific populations. Many children and Adults with muscle-based deficits have had intermittent and unsuccessful therapy intervention due to non-traditional presentation of abilities. Therefore, it is our intent to provide other practitioners with the findings we have determined to be successful. To do this we will first present our findings to clinicians and researchers alike. In addition to normative studies and controlled studies, TalkTools^®/ITI is examining the ways in which various therapeutic techniques affect specific populations. To this end, case studies are being conducted to document "best practices" and "what works" using muscle-based techniques. Our research goal is to first make our findings available, and second, to subject our findings to peer review.

Contact Information

Jennifer Bathel
3420 N. Dodge Blvd. Suite 156
Tucson, Arizona 85716
jbathel@talktools.net
520-529-2879

References/ Studies

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