Oromotor skills and their role in speech and feeding

Nayi Disha organized a speech therapy workshop with speech and language pathologist Ms. Chitra Thadathil. Here are some of the things she talked about.

What are Oromotor Skills

Oromotor skills involve the movement and coordination of the tongue, lips, jaw, and other muscles used for speech and eating. Since these muscles are small and can’t be manually guided like hands or legs, they develop naturally through activities like chewing, swallowing, and oral play. Strengthening these muscles supports clearer speech and more comfortable eating experiences.

Why feeding supports speech development

• When a child chews, moves food in their mouth, swallows, or explores different textures, they’re naturally exercising the muscles needed for speech.
  
• Activities like lip closure, tongue movement, and jaw stability all contribute to clearer articulation.
  
• While oromotor massages can help, real progress comes from actively using these muscles in everyday activities.

Key factors that affect oromotor skills

1. Overall health and regulation
   
   • A child’s physical and emotional well-being impacts their ability to engage in therapy.
     
   • If they’re unwell, overwhelmed, or dysregulated, speech and feeding exercises may feel harder and less effective.
     
2. Sensory processing differences and oromotor skills
   
   • Some children experience differences in how they perceive oral sensations, which can affect both eating and speech.
     
   • Hyposensitivity (Low sensory awareness):
     
     • They may not fully feel food in their mouth, making chewing and tongue movement challenging.
       
     • They might prefer stronger flavors or textures to increase sensory input.
       
   • Hypersensitivity (Heightened sensory awareness):
     
     • Certain textures, temperatures, or sensations may feel overwhelming or even uncomfortable.
       
     • This can lead to food aversions or difficulty tolerating speech exercises.
       
   • Mixed sensory differences:
     
     • Some children experience both—low awareness in some areas and extreme sensitivity in others—leading to unpredictable responses to food and speech cues.

3. Building oromotor strength through play and exploration
   
   • Speech muscles develop through movement and experience, not just practice.
     
   • Activities like blowing bubbles, sucking from a straw, chewing resistive foods (like dried fruit or chewy snacks), and making silly mouth movements can strengthen these muscles naturally.
     
   • Encouraging children to explore different food textures, practice exaggerated facial movements, and engage in playful oral exercises can make a big difference.

Creating a supportive approach

• Respect sensory preferences – If a child resists certain foods or exercises, adapt the approach to their comfort.
  
• Encourage natural movement – Through chewing, blowing, sucking, and playful speech activities.
  
• Make it fun and engaging – Avoid pressure and incorporate oromotor activities into enjoyable daily routines.
  

Every child’s oromotor journey is unique. With the right support and a strengths-based approach, they can develop speech and feeding skills in ways that feel natural and comfortable for them.

Additionally, you can download this caregiver’s manual for insights into the long-term care and well-being of individuals with Down Syndrome.

If you have questions about Autism, Down Syndrome, ADHD, or other intellectual and developmental disabilities, or concerns about developmental differences, the Nayi Disha team is here to support you. For any queries, please contact our FREE Helpline at 844-844-8996. You can call or WhatsApp us. Our counselors are available in multiple languages, including English, Hindi, Malayalam, Gujarati, Marathi, Telugu, and Bengali.

DISCLAIMER: This guide is for informational purposes only. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for guidance.