Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy is a superhero therapy that combines simple exercises and techniques to help kids with everything from their speech to their eating habits to their behavior. 

But how do you know if your child could benefit from this therapy? What exactly is OMT? What does a session look like? In this episode of the Soaring Child podcast, learn more about Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy, or OMT, from special guest Dr. Marielly Michell. 

Dr. Mitchell’s innovative approach to OT centered on orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) combines principles of cranial nerve integration, sensory processing, and motor function, allowing her to address neurological and airway dysfunction in infants and children that impact behavior. 

She is the founder of Theraplay LA, the first pediatric therapy center to offer comprehensive services that include sleep monitoring in conjunction with virtual and in-clinic occupational, physical, and speech therapy services specializing in sensory processing, motor skills, feeding and swallowing disorders, OMT, nutritional support, and sleep training.

Links Mentioned in the Show: 

• Thriving with ADHD Book - adhdthriveinstitute.com/book 
• Grab Your Sleep Disordered Breathing Screener Here - https://www.theraplayla.com/freebies-for-parents 

Key Takeaways:
[3:58 ] How OMT can help children with ADHD
[8:58 ] Signs a child might need OMT
[14:06 ] At-home exercises parents can do with their children
[18:51 ] What parents can expect when working with an Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist
[24:54 ] Success stories of kids who have been through OMT
[30:10 ] Where to find Dr. Marielly online

Memorable Moments:
"Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (which we will refer to as OMT)focuses on…the position of the tongue and where that person puts their tongue. And ideally, everyone should be placing their tongue suctioned to the roof of their mouth behind their 2 front teeth, with their lips sealed and breathing through their nose without tension in their jaw.”

”If your child has a low oral rest posture…basically mouth breathing, then that automatically puts them into a state of fight or flight.”

”When a child is mouth breathing for a long period of time, it will deactivate that area of the brain, and so myofunctional therapy really focuses on facilitating a closed mouth posture and activating the nasal passages and making sure that the person reaches a more ‘rest and digest’ or parasympathetic state.”

”Breathing and sleeping really take a huge toll, and it’s really an abstract silent epidemic that we’re in with this.”

”A really good tip is to always do these exercises in front of a mirror with them so they can get some visual feedback.”

”We’re in a silent epidemic of this.”

How to Connect with Dr. Marielly Mitchell

• Website: http://www.doctormarielly.com 
• Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/doctormarielly 

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