Children typically acquire speech sounds between the ages of 2-7.  As they move from simple sounds to more complex, they can sometimes get stuck along the way. This is completely normal as children are learning; however, sometimes a child continues using these patterns longer than they should, and benefits from extra support to improve their speech development. 

Language therapy supports how a child develops their understanding and use of language, all the way from using a single sound to telling a story. Therapy supports the child’s ability to follow directions and improve how they express their wants, needs, and ideas. The best way to support a child’s language development is in their everyday environment. In-home therapy services can help bridge the gap between therapy and “real life” quickly.

Feeding skills are crucial for your child's growth, starting from breastfeeding or bottle-feeding to eating many foods with complex textures and tastes. Feeding therapy supports children as they learn how to eat developmentally-appropriate foods. 

Common feeding skills addressed in therapy include a child’s ability to self-feed , chewing, drinking from cups and straws, and managing new food textures.  This involves working with your child to improve oral motor skills, making it easier for them to eat and drink safely. Feeding therapy also supports the many transitions that a child goes through as they develop their skills.  Examples include moving from pureed foods to solid foods, or from chewing simple solids (i.e. crackers) to complex solids (i.e. sandwiches). 

By addressing feeding challenges early on, meal and snack times can become successful and positive for the whole family.

Myofunctional therapy works to increase the function of the jaw, lips, and tongue, with the specific goal to improve the resting posture of the tongue inside the mouth for nasal breathing. This small change can have big effects on a variety of issues your child may be facing, such as tongue thrust (when the tongue pushes against the teeth while swallowing), open-mouth breathing posture, sleep disturbances, feeding difficulties, speech intelligibility, and more.  A typical therapy session includes learning and mastering exercises along with a home exercise program that is necessary to support goals for change.

Myofunctional therapy is also an important part of the process for managing tongue and lip tie releases.  Completing the therapy protocol both before and after the release will promote optimal healing and benefit from the procedure.