Beckman Oral Motor Therapy

Definition

Beckman Oral Motor Therapy is a therapeutic approach commonly used in speech and occupational therapy to improve impaired oral motor functioning. It addresses issues such as hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity, feeding problems, and others using assisted movement and sensory input. The therapy uses specially designed tools and techniques to increase awareness, strength, control, and coordination of the oral muscles.

Key Takeaways

1. Beckman Oral Motor Therapy is a specialised therapy designed to address issues related to oral motor skills particularly needed in feeding and speech. These skills include controlled movements of the jaw, lips, tongue, and cheeks.
2. The therapy is non-invasive and utilises assisted movement and guided touch cues to increase functional response to pressure and movement. It’s particularly ideal for babies having difficulty with breast or bottle feeding, but can also be beneficial for older children struggling with certain speech sounds.
3. Beckman Oral Motor Therapy not only enhances oral motor skills but also promotes oral sensory awareness facilitating better eating and speaking habits. A certified Beckman Oral Motor therapist can provide individualized therapy based on the child’s unique needs.

Importance

Beckman Oral Motor Therapy is a significant term in motherhood owing to its application in pediatric care particularly for children with oral motor issues.

It’s a specialized therapeutic intervention exceeding the limitations of traditional articulatory and phonological approaches.

It focuses on the treatment of functional components in non-food activities in the oral motor region that includes controlled movements of the jaw, lips, and tongue.

For mothers, this becomes essential when they have children who exhibit oral motor weaknesses resulting in feeding, speech, and respiratory issues.

The mechanics of this therapy facilitates functional responses to improve articulatory precision and feeding safety which is indeed vital for the child’s growth and development.

Explanation

Beckman Oral Motor Therapy plays a crucial role in addressing issues related to feeding, swallowing and articulation that can be experienced by infants, toddlers and children. Its core purpose is to enhance the strength, range, variety and control of oral muscular movements which are necessary for speech, eating, drinking and facial expression.

It is commonly used for children who have reduced oral awareness or have difficulty in consuming different textures of food due to oral-motor issues. Therapists using this method often use interventions like assisted movement and stretch reflex responses to stimulate oral muscular movements without fostering a non-purposeful bite-and-release pattern that can often become a habit in children with oral motor concerns.

Used by speech therapists, occupational therapists, and both physical and developmental therapists, Beckman Oral Motor Therapy utilizes oral probe devices to provide tactile input, for oral musculature response and awareness. These tools encourage children to control and coordinate their oral structures to support their functional skill development.

This approach is particularly beneficial for children with neurological impairments or genetic syndromes, but can be used for a range of other conditions impacting oral motor functioning. Primarily, the successful implementation of this therapy can lead to improvements in feeding, better oral hygiene, and improved speech articulation.

Examples of Beckman Oral Motor Therapy

Beckman Oral Motor Therapy refers to a specific type of speech therapy intervention that deals with the assessment and remediation of dysphagia and related oral motor issues. Here are three real-world examples of its application:

Treating Infants with Feeding Difficulties: Perhaps a baby was born prematurely and has difficulties swallowing, sucking or keeping food in their mouth. In such cases, a speech-language pathologist would apply the principles of Beckman Oral Motor Therapy to assess any physiological causes and create a therapy plan that helps the infant develop the necessary oral motor skills for feeding.

Rehabilitation of Stroke Survivors: Someone who has suffered a stroke may have difficulties speaking or swallowing (a condition known as dysarthria or dysphagia) due to impaired motor control from brain-to-mouth signaling disruption. The use of Beckman Oral Motor Therapy can help these individuals regain control over their tongue, lips and cheeks, making it possible for them to swallow food safely and/or articulate speech sounds more clearly.

Assisting People with Neurological Conditions: Dysphagia or difficulty swallowing can be a symptom of many neurological conditions including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and cerebral palsy. Beckman Oral Motor Therapy is frequently used in these situations to diagnose the severity of the swallowing problem and then develop a custom therapy approach. This can significantly improve the individual’s quality of life, allowing them to eat more normally and reduce the risk of choking or respiratory infection from aspiration.

FAQ: Beckman Oral Motor Therapy

What is Beckman Oral Motor Therapy?

Beckman Oral Motor Therapy is a specialized form of therapeutic intervention designed to strengthen the muscles in the mouth, jaw, and throat. It is often used in pediatric therapy to help with the development of feeding skills and speech.

Who can benefit from Beckman Oral Motor Therapy?

Babies and children with difficulties eating, swallowing, or speaking can benefit from Beckman Oral Motor Therapy. This can include but is not limited to children with cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, or other neurological or genetic disorders.

What does a Beckman Oral Motor Therapy session look like?

During a session, a trained therapist guides the child through a series of exercises that target and strengthen specific oral muscles. These exercises might include blowing, sucking, chewing, and tongue exercises.

How often does a child need to attend Beckman Oral Motor Therapy sessions?

The frequency of therapy sessions depends on the individual needs of the child. Some children may benefit from weekly sessions, while others may require more or less frequent visits.

Is Beckman Oral Motor Therapy effective?

Many studies and clinical reports attest to the effectiveness of Beckman Oral Motor Therapy in improving feeding abilities and speech in individuals with oral motor difficulties. However, results can vary greatly depending on the individual’s specific symptoms and needs.

Related Motherhood Terms

• Feeding Therapy
• Oral Motor Exercises
• Speech Therapy
• Infant Sucking Skills
• Oral Muscle Tone Improvement

Sources for More Information

• Beckman Oral Motor Official Website: This is the official website of Beckman Oral Motor where you can find detailed information about their therapy techniques, schedule, and plans.
• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association: ASHA is a professional organization for speech-language pathologists. The site contains information about various therapies, including Beckman Oral Motor Therapy.
• Amazon: Amazon has various books and tools related to Beckman Oral Motor Therapy that can aid understanding and application of the therapy.
• Therapeutic Resources: This site offers resources for occupational therapists where you may find more insights and applications related to Beckman Oral Motor Therapy.