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Beyond the Common Therapies: Understanding Myofunctional Therapy for Autistic Children

  • Getting Started

As parents exploring support for an autistic child, you likely know about Speech, Occupational, and Physical Therapies. But there’s another specialized area that, while less commonly discussed, can be a really important piece of the puzzle: Myofunctional Therapy.

This therapy focuses specifically on the muscles of the face and mouth. Think about it: these muscles are constantly working for things we often take for granted, like breathing, swallowing, and even how we make sounds to speak. For some autistic children, these fundamental muscle functions can present subtle challenges that impact comfort and development. Learning about Myofunctional Therapy can open new avenues for support, even if you’re just starting to explore options.

What Exactly is Myofunctional Therapy?

Myofunctional Therapy is a specialized therapy designed to help the muscles of the mouth and face work correctly. It’s all about retraining habits and patterns of the tongue, lips, and jaw. Essentially, it helps ensure these muscles are strong, coordinated, and in the right position for everyday functions.

Why Myofunctional Therapy Matters: Unseen Benefits, Big Impact

While not as widely known as other therapies, Myofunctional Therapy can offer some unique and important benefits:

  • Better Breathing Patterns: Many people, including some autistic children, might habitually breathe through their mouth instead of their nose. Myofunctional therapy can help retrain the facial muscles to encourage proper nasal breathing. This is generally healthier, can lead to better sleep quality, positively impacts overall well-being and can ensure proper facial structure development.
  • Easier Eating and Swallowing: Eating should be comfortable and efficient. If muscles in the mouth or tongue aren’t working correctly, it can make chewing difficult or swallowing messy.  For instance, some children might have a tongue thrust, which means their tongue pushes forward against or between their front teeth when they swallow, rather than pressing up against the roof of their mouth. Myofunctional therapy can correct these improper swallowing patterns, leading to more efficient and comfortable eating, potentially helping with picky eating challenges linked to oral motor difficulties.
  • Improved Oral Motor Skills: This refers to the overall strength and coordination of the muscles inside the mouth. For children who might struggle with moving food around, controlling their tongue, or even drooling, specific myofunctional exercises can strengthen these muscles and improve how they function.
  • Supporting Speech Clarity: While it’s not a primary speech therapy, by making the tongue, lips, and jaw stronger and more coordinated, myofunctional therapy can often lead to clearer articulation and improved speech production. It provides a better “foundation” for speech sounds.

What Happens in a Session? Simple Exercises, Big Gains

Myofunctional therapy sessions involve a series of simple, repetitive exercises and techniques designed to strengthen and coordinate the oral muscles. These might include specific tongue movements, lip exercises, or techniques to encourage nasal breathing. Therapists guide the child through these activities and help them practice.

The great news is that many of these exercises can be easily practiced at home daily, making them a natural part of a child’s routine. It’s about consistency, building muscle memory, and making everyday functions smoother.

Who Benefits from Myofunctional Therapy?

Myofunctional Therapy can be a good consideration for autistic children who show signs of oral motor challenges. This might include persistent mouth breathing, difficulties with chewing or swallowing, a noticeable tongue thrust, or speech clarity issues that seem to stem from weak or uncoordinated mouth muscles.

A Foundational Piece for Overall Well-being 

Myofunctional Therapy can be a valuable, though often overlooked, piece of the puzzle in supporting autistic individuals. By addressing the fundamental functions of the oral and facial muscles, it can contribute significantly to improved breathing, more comfortable eating, and potentially clearer speech. Ultimately, this leads to enhanced overall comfort and a better quality of life.

Disclaimer: This blog post shares general information and personal experiences about Myofunctional Therapy. It is not intended to be medical or therapeutic advice, and you should always consult with a qualified myofunctional therapist or other healthcare professional for a diagnosis and treatment plan tailored to your child’s specific needs.

Next blog in this series: Music Therapy for Autistic Children: Finding Connections Through Sound and Rythm