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Services | Myofunctional Therapy
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Myofunctional Therapy

Myofunctional Therapy Defined:

Orofacial myofunctional (muscle function) therapy is a re-patterning of the improper function of the facial and oral muscles. The goal of therapy is to achieve correct tongue position, improved breathing, speaking, chewing and swallowing through a regimen of facial and tongue exercises. Myofunctional therapy can take anywhere from 6-12 months; however, this can vary depending on the individual.

What Is An Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder?

Orofacial myofunctional disorder (OMD) refers to the improper function of the muscles of the face, tongue and mouth. OMDs can affect growth and facial and dental development, speech, swallowing, chewing and breathing. Additionally, OMDs can impede the treatment of orthodontists, dentists and speech pathologists. Tongue ties, thumb or finger sucking, and pacifier use can also result in OMDs.

Top 4 Problems Resulting From An OMD (Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder)

  • Struggling with oral habits – e.g. thumb sucking, fingernail biting, pacifier use.
  • Speech disorders – Sounds often impacted by an OMD are /s/, /z/, /sh/, /ch/, /j/, /t/, /d/, /n/, /l/ and /r/.
  • Cosmetic problems – A person with an OMD can have a sluggish appearance. Facial grimaces and a knobby looking chin may result from tight muscles of the cheeks, lips and chin. An open mouth posture and tongue thrust can also contribute to facial esthetics being undesirable.
  • Dental problems – A tongue thrust, thumb sucking or pacifier use, and/or an incorrect resting posture can all contribute to a malocclusion (misalignment of the teeth) and/or an open bite (an “open” space between the upper and lower teeth). This can lead to difficulties with biting, chewing, swallowing, digesting food and speaking.
  • Myofunctional therapy is effective for children, teens, and adults. The following are problems related to OMDs that can be improved and/or eliminated with myofunctional therapy.

    The Myofunctional Therapy Goal

    In order to ensure the most effective and successful treatment, we begin with an evaluation to determine the best treatment plan for each individual patient. We do not take a “one-size-fits-all” approach. Additionally, we work closely with a team of professionals that may include orthodontists, ENTs, dentists and oral surgeons to make sure that our patients’ needs are addressed and treated properly.

    Client Testimonials

    Lindsey Dean
    Lindsey Dean
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    Google Review
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    We absolutely love Fox Therapy Services and we are so glad we found Jessie! After trying several other Speech Therapists we were feeling frustrated and a bit lost. Our son is 4 & I wanted him to be able to receive the help and tools he needs while still having fun in the process. Jessie as an awesome ability to make Speech Therapy enjoyable for him. He looks forward to going every week and we have seen him make amazing progress. Jessie is very knowledgeable in Speech Pathology, yet talks to me mom-to-mom, which I so appreciate. We would definitely recommend Jessie & Fox Therapy Services!
    Neyda De Pau
    Neyda De Pau
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    Google Review
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    I cannot say enough about Fox Speech Services! We worked with Ms Stefanie. My daughter was extremely speech delayed. We had been at another independent therapist and I just felt that they were misdiagnosing her. Luckily, due to a change in health insurance and through the referral of our pre-school, we enrolled with Ms Stefanie and the rest is history. My daughter has fully developed in her verbal communication and is now confident in herself because she can articulate. We recommend this place all the time.
    Lauren K
    Lauren K
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    Yelp Review
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    I recently saw Amelia, the lactation consultant, who is IBCLC certified as well as a dietician. My 5 month old had been having weight gain issues, and Amelia was very professional, compassionate, and thorough. Amelia made recommendations and frequently followed up with us to see how things were going and to see if those recommendations needed to be modified. She was always available and you could tell that she truly loves and is passionate about what she does. Amelia shared her own personal struggles with breastfeeding, which made me feel comfortable and like I wasn't the only one having issues with this. I feel like her also being a dietician gives her a rounded out perspective. It seems that many lactation consultants are anti-formula, but Amelia approached our case without judgment and worked with us so that we could ultimately continue breastfeeding but also meet nutritional needs and gain weight.
    Jenelle Smith
    Jenelle Smith
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    Google Review
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    Jessie is literally a miracle worker. I am one of her older patients, so I was not sure how much work could actually be done for someone who wasn't a child. But wow. In 3 months time Jessie worked so hard with me and boy did it pay off. She helped my speech and now I can barely hear my previous sharpness in speech. And it doesn't hurt that she is also a lovely, gregarious, kind woman. Go see Jessie, she knows what she's doing!!!!
    Kelly M
    Kelly M
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    Yelp Review
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    My 2.5 yr old son has been seeing the owner Jessie for almost 6 months now. When we first contacted Fox speech services we were in the process of getting my sons surgery scheduled for a tongue and lip tie release. My 2.5yr old was not talking AT ALL. I was beyond concerned and my gut was always filled with worry. I had my doubts. From the first session I still had doubts because it's play based. We're six months in and I have absolutely been proven wrong. My son who wasn't talking has over 20-25 words and is working on two word combos now and his comprehension of speech is taking off. We wouldn't be where we are right now with out Jessie and her fantastic team. They've become family to us and I'm so grateful and thankful for finding them.
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    Frequently Asked Questions

    How do I know if my child needs speech therapy?

    There are many different reasons why a child may need speech therapy. First and foremost, Trust Your Gut!! A parent knows their child best. If you have any concerns I encourage you to seek out the guidance of a speech pathologist.

    Your child may need speech therapy if he or she…

    • Has not begun to say words by 12 months

    • Does not seem to understand questions or directions

    • Has speech that is difficult to understand

    • Has a diagnosis of autism or other developmental delays

    • Does not seem interested in developmentally appropriate play with toys

    • Has difficulty interacting socially with peers

    • Cannot express themselves using sentences similar to peers

    • Has a hearing loss

    How long will my child need speech therapy?

    This is likely the most common question that I am asked by families. While I wish I was able to provide a concrete answer, the reality is that there are too many factors to consider. Every child is different and at Fox Therapy Services we tailor our services to the individual. Some factors that impact the rate at which your child will progress through therapy include, but are not limited to:

    Rapport with the therapist: While some kiddos warm up very quickly, others may take several sessions to feel comfortable. Once the therapist and child have established a positive and trusting relationship, therapy sessions are much more impactful.

    Behavior: A child’s behavior can greatly influence the rate of progress. While behavior is a means of communication, sometimes behavior challenges need to be addressed before we can work on therapy goals.

    Family Involvement and Carryover: At Fox Therapy Services we are huge advocates of family involvement during therapy sessions. The more the family is involved, and the greater the carryover is in the home environment, the more successful your child will be in achieving their goals.

    No two kids are the same: Therefore, even two children working on very similar goals will progress at different rates. One week your child will make huge strides and the next week we may see little progress. This is to be expected and is a natural part of the process.

    What should my child be able to say (expressive language) and understand (receptive language)?

    Children differ vary in their development of language. There is, however, a natural progression or “timetable” for mastery of skills. 

    How do I know what speech sounds my child should be able to say?

    Different sounds develop at different ages. If your child is not able to produce certain sounds (articulation disorder) by a specific age they may need speech therapy.

    Learn when sounds develop.

    It is also important to consider your child’s overall speech intelligibility (the percentage of your child’s speech that a listener can understand).

    AgeIntelligibility
    18 months25%
    2 yrs.50-70%
    3 yrs.80%
    4+ yrs.90-100%
    Where are therapy services provided?

    We see clients in our private clinic.

    Will my insurance cover speech therapy?

    Fox Therapy Services is currently in-network with Cigna, United Healthcare, Anthem Blue Cross, Kaiser, Healthnet, Tri-Care and Blue Shield of California. You are responsible to pay Fox Therapy Services for any co-pay, co-insurance or deductible payment if your insurance is in-network. If your insurance company denies coverage or payment for the service provided, you are responsible for the full amount due.

    If Fox Therapy Services is an out-of-network provider for your insurance plan, you are billed directly at the time of services and responsible for all charges. Fox Therapy Services will be happy to provide you with a Superbill that you can submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.

    What insurances do we accept?

    We take Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Cigna, Kaiser, Tri-Care, Healthnet and United Health Care.

    Schedule your FREE in person a consultation today!
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