OROFACIAL MYOFUNCTIONAL THERAPY

Orofacial Myology is the study of normal and abnormal use of the muscles of the tongue, lips and the face. Muscles can affect the tooth alignment, speech production, chewing and swallowing. Orofacial myologists use myofunctional therapy, which are specialized exercises to establish correct functional activities of the tongue, lips, facial muscles and jaw. These exercises eliminate or greatly reduce:

Drooling
Lip biting
Food chewing problems
Facial muscular imbalance
Open lips resting posture
Abnormal tongue resting posture
Articulation problems
Tongue thrust

We have seen children as young as four years old benefit from a diagnostic session to determine if they can be helped with giving up thumb-sucking, prolonged use of a baby bottle or pacifier. Children of 7 or 8 years old are often mature enough to receive complete training. Children, teenagers and adults of all ages are capable of success in treatment.

Many recent scientific studies have shown that treatment for orofacial myofunctional disorders can be 80-90% effective. Research found an 81% prevalence of orofacial myofunctional disorders in children with speech and articulation problems.

LITERACY REMEDIATION

Language learning begins very early in life. There are specific language and communication expectations at each grade level. Listening, speaking, reading and writing are all required. Children must effectively continue to build upon their current repertoire of skills for optimal success. Articulation and phonological disorders hinder the appropriate production of speech sounds. This negatively impacts intelligibility and how well your child is understood by others. It is not unusual for phonological disorders to adversely impact the acquisition of reading, writing, spelling, comprehension, and oral expression.

Literacy remediation addresses the needs of children who encounter these academic challenges. PAL offers an individualized approach to address concerns such as comprehension, encoding, decoding and difficulties associated with written expression. Instruction may include a variety of phonologically based methods or programs.

1. Orton-Gillingham

2. Lindamood Bell

3. Earobics

4. FastForword

We develop an individualized plan of care, tailored to each client's needs.

DEVELOPMENT DELAYS AND EARLY INTERVENTIONS

PAL has experience with a variety of developmental delays and early intervention. We take a child centered approach to language development. We feel that the abilities to communicate and the use of language are fundamental building blocks for living and learning. The interventions for communications are influenced by Dr. Stanley Greenspan's DIR/Floortime, Dr. Barry Prizant's SCERT's Model, "Play Therapy" and The Hanen Centre. Music, Movement and Sensory components are incorporated whenever possible. Children who have difficulty expressing their thoughts in spoken words or who are not able to absorb information accurately through listening and reading are almost certain to experience difficulties in their academic and social learning in school and in the community. It is our goal to help those individuals maximize their communication.

GROUP PROGRAMSALL

ACE's

This group has been specifically tailored to meet the needs of children with Asperger's, High Functioning Autism, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity These children can be described as verbal, but continue to struggle with play skills, making and maintaining friendships, and understanding the complexity of social interactions. Participants generally have IQ's within the normal range and can be independent in the classroom for at least 15 minutes. Methodologies will pair a cognitive approach with a developmental relationship based intervention. Awareness of self and others will be explored through language, actions, and sensory experiences. Recognizing and understanding emotional intent, motives of peers, and sharing life experiences will be facilitated by using role playing, videos, children's literature and symbolic play. Inferential thinking and making "best choices" as well as if, then, and what types of thinking will also be targeted. Videotaping will be utilized to provide feedback to the children and parents for self assessment and feedback.

TALKING TOTS

Offers a developmentally appropriate, inclusive setting for children to acquire, expand, and explore their potential under the guidance and supervision of a speech-language pathologist. The goal of this program is to provide an environment and activities that encourage child initiated interactions and communication to build their vocabulary and play skills. Each child's individual needs and developmental profile are considered when planning activities. These activities are chosen and based upon the needs, functional level, and skills to be targeted. We emphasize a child centered, developmental approach to learning influenced by the philosophies of Dr. Stanley Greenspan, Dr. Steven Gutstein, Dr. Barry Prizant, and play therapy. Parents are provided the opportunity to express their concerns regarding skills or activities they feel would be beneficial to their child through our consultation process.

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

Offers an excellent functional curriculum that increases skills in comprehension, sequencing, categorization, following multi-step directions, sharing, cooperation, and problem solving via cooking activities. Appropriate for a variety of ages and functional levels. Instruction has a heavy emphasis on literacy, and practice in oral and written language composition. Lessons progress from providing the most support in the form of visual aides, to less support in the form of the cloze technique essays, to the most challenging- recall of sequences and independent composition of essays. SPACE IS LIMITED, interested parties need to reserve their space.