Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Oromotor Therapy

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Pediatric Dysphagia

Abstract

Oral-motor therapy is the most common therapeutic intervention for children with dysphagia. This chapter presents interventions for oral-motor and sensory-based feeding disorders under a multifactorial framework. Oral-motor assessments including physical examination, oral structure examination, and oral-motor function assessments are presented followed by discussions of oral-motor intervention that comprises different techniques and can be utilized in many different clinical manifestations and for varied purposes. The chapter also discusses evidence that support the benefits of each technique.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 159.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Aggarwal S, Chadha R, Pathak R. Feeding difficulties among children with cerebral palsy: a review. Children. 2015;1(7):9–12.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Arvedson JC. Assessment of pediatric dysphagia and feeding disorders: clinical and instrumental approaches. Dev Disabil Res Rev. 2008;14(2):118–27.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Arvedson JC. Feeding children with cerebral palsy and swallowing difficulties. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2013;67:S9–S12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Asadollahpour F, Yadegari F, Soleimani F, Khalesi N. The effects of non-nutritive sucking and pre-feeding oral stimulation on time to achieve independent oral feeding for preterm infants. Iran J Pediatr. 2015;25(3):e809.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Bache M, Pizon E, Jacobs J, Vaillant M, Lecomte A. Effects of pre-feeding oral stimulation on oral feeding in preterm infants: a randomized clinical trial. Early Hum Dev. 2014;90(3):125–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Baghbadorani MK, Soleymani Z, Dadgar H, Salehi M. The effect of oral sensorimotor stimulations on feeding performance in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Acta Med Iran. 2014;52(12):899–904.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Bahr D. Ages and stages: resources for feeding, speech, and mouth function. 2017. Retrieved from http://www.agesandstages.net/courses.php

  8. Ballard JL, Auer CE, Khoury JC. Ankyloglossia: assessment, incidence, and effect of frenuloplasty on the breastfeeding dyad. Pediatrics. 2002;110(5):e63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Barlow SM, Lee J, Wang J, Oder A, Hall S, Knox K, et al. Frequency-modulated orocutaneous stimulation promotes non-nutritive suck development in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome or chronic lung disease. J Perinatol. 2014;34(2):136–42.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Barlow SM, Lee J, Wang J, Oder A, Oh H, Hall S, et al. Effects of oral stimulus frequency spectra on the development of non-nutritive suck in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome or chronic lung disease, and preterm infants of diabetic mothers. J Neonatal Nurs. 2014;20(4):178–88.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Barton C, Bickell M, Fucile S. Pediatric oral motor feeding assessments: a systematic review. Phys Occup Ther Pediatr. 2018;38(2):190–209.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Beckman D. Beckman oral motor. 2014. Retrieved from http://www.beckmanoralmotor.com/about.php

  13. Beckman D. Oral motor intervention. 2017. Retrieved from http://www.beckmanoralmotor.com/about.php

  14. Beckman D, Neal C, Phirsichbaum J, Stratton L, Taylor V, Ratusnik D. Range of movement and strength in oral motor therapy: a retrospective study. Fla J Commun Disord. 2004;21:7–14.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Benfer K, Weir K, Bell K, Ware R, Davies P, Boyd R. Oropharyngeal dysphagia in preschool children with cerebral palsy: oral phase impairments. Res Dev Disabil. 2014;35(12):3469–81.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Bickell M, Barton C, Dow K, Fucile S. A systematic review of clinical and psychometric properties of infant oral motor feeding assessments. Dev Neurorehabil. 2017:1–11. https://doi.org/10.1080/17518423.2017.1289272.

  17. Boiron M, Da Nobrega L, Roux S, Henrot A, Saliba E. Effects of oral stimulation and oral support on non-nutritive sucking and feeding performance in preterm infants. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2007;49(6):439–44.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Braun MA, Palmer MM. A pilot study of oral-motor dysfunction in “at-risk” infants. Phys Occup Ther Pediatr. 1985;5(4):13–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Calis EA, Veugelers R, Sheppard JJ, Tibboel D, Evenhuis HM, Penning C. Dysphagia in children with severe generalized cerebral palsy and intellectual disability. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2008;50(8):625–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Coker-Bolt P, Jarrard C, Woodard F, Merrill P. The effects of oral motor stimulation on feeding behaviors of infants born with univentricle anatomy. J Pediatr Nurs. 2013;28(1):64–71.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Crapnell T, Rogers C, Neil J, Inder T, Woodward L, Pineda R. Factors associated with feeding difficulties in the very preterm infant. Acta Paediatr. 2013;102(12):e539–45.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. da Rosa Pereira K, Firpo C, Gasparin M, Teixeira AR, Dornelles S, Bacaltchuk T, Levy DS. Evaluation of swallowing in infants with congenital heart defect. Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2015;19(01):055–60.

    Google Scholar 

  23. De Oliveira Lira Ortega A, Ciamponi A, Mendes F, Santos M. Assessment scale of the oral motor performance of children and adolescents with neurological damages. J Oral Rehabil. 2009;36(9):653–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Eckman N, Williams KE, Riegel K, Paul C. Teaching chewing: a structured approach. Am J Occup Ther. 2008;62(5):514–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Edwards S, Davis AM, Ernst L, Sitzmann B, Bruce A, Keeler D, et al. Interdisciplinary strategies for treating oral aversions in children. J Parenter Enter Nutr. 2015;39(8):899–909.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Einarsson-Backes LM, Deitz J, Price R, Glass R, Hays R. The effect of oral support on sucking efficiency in preterm infants. Am J Occup Ther. 1994;48(6):490–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Fairhurst C, Cockerill H. Management of drooling in children. Arch Dis Child Educ Pract Ed. 2011;96(1):25–30.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Field D, Garland M, Williams K. Correlates of specific childhood feeding problems. J Paediatr Child Health. 2003;39(4):299–304.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Flanagan MA. Improving speech and eating skills in children with autism spectrum disorders: an oral-motor program for home and school. Shawnee Mission: AAPC Publishing; 2008.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Foster JP, Psaila K, Patterson T. Non-nutritive sucking for increasing physiologic stability and nutrition in preterm infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;(10):CD001071.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Fucile S, Gisel E, Lau C. Oral stimulation accelerates the transition from tube to oral feeding in preterm infants. J Pediatr. 2002;141(2):230–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Fucile S, Gisel E, Lau C. Effect of an oral stimulation program on sucking skill maturation of preterm infants. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2005;47(03):158–62.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Fucile S, Gisel E, McFarland DH, Lau C. Oral and non-oral sensorimotor interventions enhance oral feeding performance in preterm infants. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2011;53(9):829–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Fucile S, McFarland DH, Gisel EG, Lau C. Oral and nonoral sensorimotor interventions facilitate suck–swallow–respiration functions and their coordination in preterm infants. Early Hum Dev. 2012;88(6):345–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Fung EB, Samson-Fang L, Stallings VA, Conaway M, Liptak G, Henderson RC, et al. Feeding dysfunction is associated with poor growth and health status in children with cerebral palsy. J Am Diet Assoc. 2002;102(3):361–73.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Gaebler CP, Hanzlik JR. The effects of a prefeeding stimulation program on preterm infants. Am J Occup Ther. 1996;50(3):184–92.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Ganz SF. Decreasing tongue thrusting and tonic bite reflex through nueromotor and sensory facilitation techniques. Phys Occup Ther Pediatr. 1988;7(4):57–76.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Gisel EG. Oral-motor skills following sensorimotor intervention in the moderately eating-impaired child with cerebral palsy. Dysphagia. 1994;9(3):180–92.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Gisel EG, Patrick J. Identification of children with cerebral palsy unable to maintain a normal nutritional state. Lancet. 1988;331(8580):283–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Gisel EG, Alphonce E, Ramsay M. Assessment of ingestive and oral praxis skills: children with cerebral palsy vs. controls. Dysphagia. 2000;15(4):236–44.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. González ML, Stern K. Co-occurring behavioral difficulties in children with severe feeding problems: a descriptive study. Res Dev Disabil. 2016;58:45–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Gouyon J-B, Iacobelli S, Ferdynus C, Bonsante F. Neonatal problems of late and moderate preterm infants. Semin Fetal Neonatal Med. 2012;17(3):146–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.siny.2012.01.015.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Greene Z, O’Donnell CP, Walshe M. Oral stimulation for promoting oral feeding in preterm infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;9:CD009720.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Harding C, Frank L, Van Someren V, Hilari K, Botting N. How does non-nutritive sucking support infant feeding? Infant Behav Dev. 2014;37(4):457–64.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Heckathorn D-E, Speyer R, Taylor J, Cordier R. Systematic review: non-instrumental swallowing and feeding assessments in pediatrics. Dysphagia. 2016;31(1):1–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Hennequin M, Faulks D, Veyrune JL, Bourdiol P. Significance of oral health in persons with down syndrome: a literature review. Dev Med Child Neurol. 1999;41(4):275–83.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Howe T-H, Wang T-N. Systematic review of interventions used in or relevant to occupational therapy for children with feeding difficulties ages birth–5 years. Am J Occup Ther. 2013;67(4):405–12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Howe T-H, Sheu C-F, Hsieh Y-W, Hsieh C-L. Psychometric characteristics of the Neonatal Oral-Motor Assessment Scale in healthy preterm infants. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2007;49(12):915–9.

    Google Scholar 

  49. Howe T-H, Lin K-C, Fu C-P, Su C-T, Hsieh C-L. A review of psychometric properties of feeding assessment tools used in neonates. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 2008;37(3):338–49.

    Google Scholar 

  50. Hwang Y-S, Lin C-H, Coster WJ, Bigsby R, Vergara E. Effectiveness of cheek and jaw support to improve feeding performance of preterm infants. Am J Occup Ther. 2010;64(6):886–94.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Iammatteo PA, Trombly C, Luecke L. The effect of mouth closure on drooling and speech. Am J Occup Ther. 1990;44(8):686–91.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Kamide A, Hashimoto K, Miyamura K, Honda M. Assessment of feeding and swallowing in children: validity and reliability of the Ability for Basic Feeding and Swallowing Scale for Children (ABFS-C). Brain Dev. 2015;37(5):508–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Ko MJ, Kang MJ, Ko KJ, Ki YO, Chang HJ, Kwon J-Y. Clinical usefulness of Schedule for Oral-Motor Assessment (SOMA) in children with dysphagia. Ann Rehabil Med. 2011;35(4):477–84.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. Kumin L. Resource guide to oral motor skill difficulties in children with down syndrome. 2015.

    Google Scholar 

  55. Kumin L, Von Hagel KC, Bahr D. An effective oral motor intervention protocol for infants and toddlers with low muscle tone. Infant Toddler Intervention. 2001;11(3/4):181–200.

    Google Scholar 

  56. Lamm NC, De Felice A, Cargan A. Effect of tactile stimulation on lingual motor function in pediatric lingual dysphagia. Dysphagia. 2005;20(4):311–24. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00455-005-0060-7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Laptook AR. Neurologic and metabolic issues in moderately preterm, late preterm, and early term infants. Clin Perinatol. 2013;40(4):723–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clp.2013.07.005.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Laud R, Girolami P, Boscoe J, Gulotta C. Treatment outcomes for severe feeding problems in children with autism spectrum disorder. Behav Modif. 2009;33(5):520–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  59. Leone A, Ersfeld P, Adams M, Meyer Schiffer P, Bucher HU, Arlettaz R. Neonatal morbidity in singleton late preterm infants compared with full-term infants. Acta Paediatr. 2012;101(1):e6–e10. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1651-2227.2011.02459.x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Lessen BS. Effect of the premature infant oral motor intervention on feeding progression and length of stay in preterm infants. Adv Neonatal Care. 2011;11(2):129–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  61. Limbrock GJ, Fischer-Brandies H, Avalle C. Castillo-Morales’ orofacial therapy: treatment of 67 children with down syndrome. Dev Med Child Neurol. 1991;33(4):296–303.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. Lyu T-C, Zhang Y-X, Hu X-J, Cao Y, Ren P, Wang Y-J. The effect of an early oral stimulation program on oral feeding of preterm infants. Int J Nurs Sci. 2014;1(1):42–7.

    Google Scholar 

  63. Matthews-Brzozowska T, Cudziło D, Walasz J, Kawala B. Rehabilitation of the orofacial complex by means of a stimulating plate in children with down syndrome. Adv Clin Exp Med. 2015;24(2):301–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  64. McCain GC. Promotion of preterm infant nipple feeding with nonnutritive sucking. J Pediatr Nurs. 1995;10(1):3–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. Miller CK, Madhoun LL. Feeding and swallowing issues in infants with craniofacial anomalies. Perspect ASHA Spec Interest Groups. 2016;1(5):13–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  66. Morgan A, Mei C, Anderson V, Waugh M-C, Cahill L, the TBI Guideline Expert Working Committee. Clinical practice guideline for the management of communication and swallowing disorders following paediatric traumatic brain injury. Melbourne: Murdoch Childrens Research Institute; 2017.

    Google Scholar 

  67. Osman A, Ahmed E, Mohamed H, Hassanein F, Brandon D. Oral motor intervention accelerates time to full oral feeding and discharge. Int J Adv Nurs Stud. 2016;5(2):228–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  68. Ottenbacher K, Bundy A, Short MA. The development and treatment of oral-motor dysfunction: a review of clinical research. Phys Occup Ther Pediatr. 1983;3(2):1–13.

    Google Scholar 

  69. Ottenbacher K, Dauck BS, Gevelinger M, Grahn V, Hassett C. Reliability of the behavioral assessment scale of oral functions in feeding. Am J Occup Ther. 1985;39(7):436–40.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. Palmer MM, Crawley K, Blanco IA. Neonatal Oral-Motor Assessment scale: a reliability study. J Perinatol. 1992;13(1):28–35.

    Google Scholar 

  71. Pimenta HP, Moreira ME, Rocha AD, Junior G, Clair S, Pinto LW, Lucena SL. Effects of non-nutritive sucking and oral stimulation on breastfeeding rates for preterm, low birth weight infants: a randomized clinical trial. J Pediatr. 2008;84(5):423–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  72. Pinelli J, Symington A. Non-nutritive sucking for promoting physiologic stability and nutrition in preterm infants. Evid Based Child Health. 2011;6:1134–69. https://doi.org/10.1002/ebch.808.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  73. Poore M, Zimmerman E, Barlow S, Wang J, Gu F. Patterned orocutaneous therapy improves sucking and oral feeding in preterm infants. Acta Paediatr. 2008;97(7):920–7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  74. Quitadamo P, Thapar N, Staiano A, Borrelli O. Gastrointestinal and nutritional problems in neurologically impaired children. Eur J Paediatr Neurol. 2016;20(6):810–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  75. Reddihough D. Management of drooling in neurological disabilities: more evidence is needed. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2017;59:454–61.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  76. Reid J. A review of feeding interventions for infants with cleft palate. Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2004;41(3):268–78.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  77. Rocha AD, Moreira MEL, Pimenta HP, Ramos JRM, Lucena SL. A randomized study of the efficacy of sensory-motor-oral stimulation and non-nutritive sucking in very low birthweight infant. Early Hum Dev. 2007;83(6):385–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  78. Rogers B, Arvedson J. Assessment of infant oral sensorimotor and swallowing function. Dev Disabil Res Rev. 2005;11(1):74–82.

    Google Scholar 

  79. Rommel N, De Meyer A, Feenstra L, Veereman-Wauters G. The complexity of feeding problems in infants and young children presenting to a tertiary care institution. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2003;37:75–84.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  80. Serel Arslan S, Demir N, Karaduman AA. Effect of a new treatment protocol called Functional Chewing Training on chewing function in children with cerebral palsy: a double-blind randomised controlled trial. J Oral Rehabil. 2017;44(1):43–50.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  81. Sheppard JJ, Hochman R, Baer C. The dysphagia disorder survey: validation of an assessment for swallowing and feeding function in developmental disability. Res Dev Disabil. 2014;35(5):929–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  82. Skuse D, Stevenson J, Reilly S, Mathisen B. Schedule for oral-motor assessment (SOMA): methods of validation. Dysphagia. 1995;10(3):192–202.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  83. Skuse D, Wolke D, Reilly S. Schedule for oral motor assessment. London: Whurr; 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  84. Snider L, Majnemer A, Darsaklis V. Feeding interventions for children with cerebral palsy: a review of the evidence. Phys Occup Ther Pediatr. 2011;31(1):58–77.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  85. Sonies BC, Cintas HL, Parks R, Miller J, Caggiano C, Gottshall SG, Gerber L. Brief assessment of motor function: content validity and reliability of the oral motor scales. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2009;88(6):464–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  86. Stratton M. Behaviorial assessment scale of oral functions in feeding. Am J Occup Ther. 1981;35(11):719–21.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  87. Tian X, Yi L-J, Zhang L, Zhou J-G, Ma L, Ou Y-X, et al. Oral motor intervention improved the oral feeding in preterm infants: evidence based on a meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis. Medicine. 2015;94(31):e1310. https://doi.org/10.1097/md.0000000000001310.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  88. Williams KE, Seiverling L. Assessment and treatment of feeding problems among children with autism spectrum disorders. In: Patel VB, Preedy VR, Martin CR, editors. Comprehensive guide to autism. New York: Springer; 2014. p. 1973–93.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  89. Wilson EM, Green JR. The development of jaw motion for mastication. Early Hum Dev. 2009;85:303–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  90. Wolf LS, Glass RP. Feeding and swallowing disorders in infancy: assessment and management. Tucson: Therapy Skill Builders; 1992.

    Google Scholar 

  91. Yilmaz S, Basar P, Gisel EG. Assessment of feeding performance in patients with cerebral palsy. Int J Rehabil Res. 2004;27(4):325–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  92. Younesian S, Yadegari F, Soleimani F. Impact of oral sensory motor stimulation on feeding performance, length of hospital stay, and weight gain of preterm infants in NICU. Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2015;17(7):e13515.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Occupational Therapy, New York University, New York, NY, USA

    Tsu-Hsin Howe

Authors
  1. Tsu-Hsin Howe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tsu-Hsin Howe .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA

    Julina Ongkasuwan

  2. Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA

    Eric H. Chiou

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Howe, TH. (2018). Oromotor Therapy. In: Ongkasuwan, J., Chiou, E. (eds) Pediatric Dysphagia. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97025-7_10

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97025-7_10

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-97024-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-97025-7

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation