Speech/Tongue Thrust Issues

[MicheleinMN]

Does anyone here have any experience with the orthodontic appliance used to help break the tongue-thrust habit?

We have done speech therapy and it was helpful, but I think we need a more aggressive/consistent form of therapy.

Any advice?

TIA,
Michele

[Cadam]

I don't, sorry. You may get more response to this on the SN board.

[Suzanne in ABQ]

We tried a device for tongue thrust. It didn't work for us, but that was because I was terrible about sitting with dd to do her practicing. She was supposed to practice for an hour a day (in six 10-minute sessions). She was supposed to sit, looking in a mirror, and practice swallowing with her tongue touching the little tab thingie at the top of the device.

We didn't do it.

It didn't work. (I'm not at all surprised)

It might have worked if we had actually used it correctly, but I just didn't have the time to sit with her, and she didn't do it correctly on her own (she was 7 at the time).

She's 11 1/2 now. She still swallows incorrectly. She can't swallow pills. Her mouth hangs open slightly all the time. Her chin is developing that long, drawn out look. Her upper jaw is narrow because she doesn't hold her tongue up there like she's supposed to. It makes me sad that I didn't make it more of a priority when she was young, but it just wasn't realistic for me.

Maybe you'll have a better chance. Maybe your device is different. This is just my experience -- not very helpful, I suppose. :o)