Myofunctional Therapy for Children — What Parents Need to Know
By Julie Stockdale, M.Sc., CCC-SLP, R.SLP
If your child's dentist, orthodontist, or doctor has mentioned "myofunctional therapy" — or if you've noticed your child breathing through their mouth, resting their tongue in an unusual position, or having difficulty with certain speech sounds — this post is for you.
Myofunctional therapy is one of the most misunderstood areas of speech-language pathology. It's also one of the most impactful. Here's what you need to know.
What Is Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy?
Orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) is a specialized type of therapy that addresses the muscles of the face, mouth, and throat — and the patterns those muscles create during breathing, chewing, swallowing, and speaking.
Think of it like physiotherapy, but for the muscles of your mouth and face.
A myofunctional therapist works to:
Retrain the tongue to rest in the correct position in the mouth
Correct swallowing patterns (called a "tongue thrust")
Establish nasal breathing as the default
Improve lip seal and oral muscle tone
Address speech sounds affected by tongue positioning
What Is the Correct Tongue Resting Position?
This surprises many parents — there is a correct place for your tongue to rest when you're not eating or speaking.
The tongue should rest gently on the roof of the mouth (the palate), just behind the upper front teeth. This position:
Supports proper jaw and facial development
Encourages nasal breathing
Helps establish healthy swallowing patterns
Supports clear speech production
When the tongue rests low in the mouth, pushes against the teeth, or sits between the teeth — this is called a "low tongue rest posture" and over time it can affect dental development, jaw alignment, breathing, and speech.
What Is Tongue Thrust?
Tongue thrust (also called an orofacial myofunctional disorder or OMD) refers to a pattern where the tongue pushes forward or between the teeth during swallowing, speaking, or at rest.
It's more common than most people realize. Signs include:
The tongue visibly pushes between or against the teeth when swallowing
An open bite (a gap between the upper and lower front teeth when the mouth is closed)
A lisp or difficulty with /s/, /z/, /t/, /d/, /n/, /l/ sounds
Mouth breathing
Tongue resting low in the mouth or between the teeth at rest
Difficulty keeping the lips together at rest
What Causes Myofunctional Disorders?
Myofunctional disorders can develop for a variety of reasons including:
Prolonged pacifier or thumb use — can affect tongue positioning and jaw development
Tongue tie (ankyloglossia) — restricted tongue movement that changes how the tongue functions
Chronic nasal congestion or allergies — forcing mouth breathing over time
Enlarged tonsils or adenoids — blocking nasal airflow
Structural differences in the mouth or jaw
Habit patterns that developed early and were never corrected
How Does Myofunctional Therapy Help?
Myofunctional therapy uses targeted exercises to retrain the muscles of the mouth, tongue, lips, and face. Sessions are typically:
Delivered virtually or in person
30–45 minutes per session
Focused on specific exercises tailored to your child's patterns
Supported by a home program of daily exercises between sessions
Consistency is key — like any muscle training, the results come from regular practice. Most children need 6–12 months of therapy for lasting change, though many families notice improvements within the first few weeks.
Who Can Benefit From Myofunctional Therapy?
Myofunctional therapy is appropriate for children and adults, but it's most effective when started early. It's commonly recommended for:
Children with:
A tongue thrust or low tongue rest posture
A lisp (/s/ or /z/ sounds produced with the tongue between the teeth)
Mouth breathing habits
An open bite or other dental concerns flagged by their dentist or orthodontist
A history of tongue tie (even after a release)
Difficulty with /t/, /d/, /n/, /l/ sounds related to tongue positioning
Before or during orthodontic treatment:
Many orthodontists refer children for myofunctional therapy before getting braces — because without correcting the underlying muscle patterns, teeth can shift back after treatment. Myofunctional therapy addresses the root cause, not just the result.
After tongue tie release:
A frenectomy (tongue tie release) removes the physical restriction — but the muscles still need to learn new patterns. Myofunctional therapy after a release is often essential for achieving full tongue function.
What Does a Session Look Like?
Many families are surprised to learn that myofunctional therapy sessions are engaging and practical — not clinical and repetitive.
A typical session might include:
Oral awareness exercises — helping your child feel and identify where their tongue is resting
Tongue strengthening exercises — building the muscle strength needed for correct posture
Swallowing retraining — learning a new swallow pattern step by step
Lip and facial exercises — improving muscle tone and lip seal
Nasal breathing support — addressing habits and any barriers to breathing through the nose
Speech sound work — if articulation errors are connected to tongue positioning
Parents are involved in every session and leave with a clear home exercise program.
Can Myofunctional Therapy Be Done Virtually?
Yes — and this is one of the most common questions I receive.
Myofunctional therapy is one of the areas of speech-language pathology that translates extremely well to virtual delivery. Because the exercises focus on observable muscle movements and postures, they can be easily demonstrated and monitored via video session.
Julie Stockdale SLP offers virtual myofunctional therapy to families across Alberta, British Columbia, and Arizona — meaning you can access specialized support from the comfort of your home.
How Is Myofunctional Therapy Different From Regular Speech Therapy?
Standard speech therapy addresses how speech sounds are produced. Myofunctional therapy addresses the underlying muscle function that influences how sounds are produced, how the face develops, and how breathing and swallowing work.
In practice they often overlap — particularly for children with lisps, where the tongue posture directly causes the speech sound error. In these cases addressing the myofunctional patterns and the speech sound together produces the most complete and lasting results.
What Should I Do If I Think My Child Needs Myofunctional Therapy?
Start by booking a consultation. During the consultation Julie will:
Review your child's history and your concerns
Observe your child's tongue resting posture, swallowing pattern, and breathing
Assess any related speech sounds
Provide a clear picture of whether myofunctional therapy is appropriate
Outline what a therapy plan would look like for your child specifically
You don't need a referral. You don't need a diagnosis. You just need to reach out.
A Note on Collaboration
Myofunctional therapy works best as part of a team approach. Julie frequently collaborates with:
Dentists and orthodontists — who refer families when they see dental patterns that suggest a myofunctional component
ENT specialists — when enlarged tonsils/adenoids or chronic congestion may be affecting breathing
Lactation consultants and tongue tie practitioners — for post-release therapy support
If you've been referred by another professional — welcome. Julie will work closely with your existing team to ensure coordinated, comprehensive care.
Ready to Learn More?
Myofunctional therapy is a specialized area — and not every SLP offers it. Julie Stockdale SLP provides myofunctional assessment and therapy for children and teens in Calgary and virtually across Alberta, BC, and Arizona.
Download the Free 10-Minute Daily Speech Routine
While myofunctional therapy requires individualized assessment, supporting your child's communication at home is something every family can do. Download the free 10-Minute Daily Speech Routine for practical strategies you can start today.
Julie Stockdale is a pediatric speech-language pathologist with 15+ years of experience supporting children and families in Calgary and virtually across Canada and the United States. She holds dual certification (CCC-SLP) and is registered in Alberta, BC, and Arizona.
