Here at the Speech Language Pathology Center, all our therapists are trained in Oral Placement Therapy, but what is that exactly? Developed by Sara Rosenfeld-Johnson, “Talk Tools” focuses on building awareness, placement, stability, endurance, and muscle memory of oral structures for improved speech clarity and swallowing function. This program involves two key parts: horns and straws.

The straws target tongue retraction, which is essential for correctly producing a variety of sounds including /s, z, and r/. When using the straw, the client is asked to take a small sip, smile, and then swallow. The goal is to achieve 20 swallows. Using this sequence ensures tongue retraction. There are a total of 7 straws that we use here. As clients progress through the hierarchy, “the goal is to achieve close to a 75% retraction…When the back of the tongue is in stabilized retraction it allows the tip of the tongue to move side to side” (Rosenfeld-Johnson, 1999).

The horns target phonation, reducing/eliminating drool, improving speech clarity, and improving sensory awareness. There are a total of 12 horns that we use here. As clients progress through the hierarchy, the horns target the abdominal muscles, velum, jaw, lips, and tongue. When using the horn, the client is asked to activate the horn using strong breath support. The goal is the achieve 25 activations.

These tools can be used with clients at any age. Some populations that benefit from oral placement therapy are those with tongue thrust, cleft palate repairs, feeding difficulties, speech sound disorders, bruxism (teeth grinding), and low tone. To learn more about this program, visit the Talk Tools website. If you have any additional questions or would like further information, please give us a call to speak to an experienced clinician!

References:

Rosenfeld-Johnson, S. (1999). Straws As Therapy Tools. Advance.

Rosenfeld-Johnson, S. (1999). Horns As Therapy Tools. Advance.