Library Thursdays: Oral Motor Therapy

Due to low muscle tone, children with Down syndrome often have problems with feeding and speech which many feel can be helped with oral motor exercises. A speech therapist can help with this plus there are many resources dealing with this on the web. These sites either touch on the theory behind the therapy, suggested exercises or accessories to help.

The library also has a book, Mouth Madness: Oral Motor activities for Children by Catherine Orr, with various exercises.

These are some of the more notable sites:

Sara Rosenfeld-Johnson has done much work on oral-motor issues and her website and blog have information and links to her articles and resources to buy for her program.

Oral Motor Exercises (at Speech-therapy-on-video.com)

Resource guide to oral-motor skill difficulties in children with Down syndrome by Libby Kumin [The library also has many other resources from Kumin--Communication skills in children with Down syndrome, Helping children with Down syndrome communicate better and a couple of DVDs.]

The Riverbend site has Oral Motor article and abstracts under their therapy section

Oral Motor Therapy: Devising your own oral-motor home program (Down Syndrome Centre Ireland)

Feeding Week: These are a few of my favorite (feeding) things! (Communication Skills for Life)
What to try Wednesday: A recessed lid cup available in stores (Communication Skills for Life)

Therapy Toy Shop has products for oral motor therapy.

Many of these activities involve blowing games and activities which will also help with draining fluid in the ears and are fun activities.

If you'd like to borrow Mouth Madness or anything else from the library, just email or call.