HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) CEUs available Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal My Folders Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Ruscello, D. M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Ruscello, D. M.

Nonspeech Oral Motor Treatment Issues Related to Children With Developmental Speech Sound Disorders

Contact author: Dennis M. Ruscello, Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, P.O. Box 6122, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505-6122. E-mail: Dennis.Ruscello{at}mail.wvu.edu.

Purpose: This article examines nonspeech oral motor treatments (NSOMTs) in the population of clients with developmental speech sound disorders. NSOMTs are a collection of nonspeech methods and procedures that claim to influence tongue, lip, and jaw resting postures; increase strength; improve muscle tone; facilitate range of motion; and develop muscle control. In the case of developmental speech sound disorders, NSOMTs are employed before or simultaneous with actual speech production treatment.

Method: First, NSOMTs are defined for the reader, and there is a discussion of NSOMTs under the categories of active muscle exercise, passive muscle exercise, and sensory stimulation. Second, different theories underlying NSOMTs along with the implications of the theories are discussed. Finally, a review of pertinent investigations is presented.

Results: The application of NSOMTs is questionable due to a number of reservations that include (a) the implied cause of developmental speech sound disorders, (b) neurophysiologic differences between the limbs and oral musculature, (c) the development of new theories of movement and movement control, and (d) the paucity of research literature concerning NSOMTs.

Clinical Implication: There is no substantive evidence to support NSOMTs as interventions for children with developmental speech sound disorders.

KEY WORDS: nonspeech oral motor treatments (NSOMTs), developmental speech sound disorders, therapeutic exercise

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. M. Watson and G. L. Lof A Survey of University Professors Teaching Speech Sound Disorders: Nonspeech Oral Motor Exercises and Other Topics Lang Speech Hear Serv Sch, July 1, 2009; 40(3): 256 - 270. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. W. Powell The Use of Nonspeech Oral Motor Treatments for Developmental Speech Sound Production Disorders: Interventions and Interactions Lang Speech Hear Serv Sch, July 1, 2008; 39(3): 374 - 379. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. L. Lof and M. M. Watson A Nationwide Survey of Nonspeech Oral Motor Exercise Use: Implications for Evidence-Based Practice Lang Speech Hear Serv Sch, July 1, 2008; 39(3): 392 - 407. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. J. Lass and M. Pannbacker The Application of Evidence-Based Practice to Nonspeech Oral Motor Treatments Lang Speech Hear Serv Sch, July 1, 2008; 39(3): 408 - 421. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. W. Powell An Integrated Evaluation of Nonspeech Oral Motor Treatments Lang Speech Hear Serv Sch, July 1, 2008; 39(3): 422 - 427. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]