Oral Placement Therapy: Clinical Implications for Tongue Thrust and Lisps

Course Description Robyn’s SMILE Program (SysteMatic Intervention for Lingual Elevation) is an effective way to help children remediate articulation errors including persistent lisps, interdentalized productions of t-d-l-n-s-z, and distortions of s-z-∫-t∫-dʒ-ʒ. The program targets the root of the speech problem which is often an orofacial myofunctional disorder (OMD). Robyn discovered in a school-based setting that by combining oral placement, swallowing and articulation therapies progress rates improved. Participants learn how to perform a thorough structural assessment and determine if an OMD is present. This one-day seminar differentiates therapeutic strategies for <4 and >4 populations for the best prognosis. SMILE manual is included with the course. Learning Outcomes Participants will be able to diagnose myofunctional disorders based on oral placement skills/swallowing skills/articulation skills. Participants will be able to list defining characteristics of a myofunction