What Is Myofunctional Therapy? A Parent's Guide

Myofunctional therapy is one of the most misunderstood services we offer at Green Light, so let's break down what it actually is, what it treats, and how to know if your child might benefit.

What Is Myofunctional Therapy?

Myofunctional therapy, sometimes called orofacial myology, addresses the muscles and movement patterns of the mouth and face: how the tongue rests, how a child swallows, whether they breathe through their nose or mouth, and how these patterns affect speech, feeding, and facial development.

What Does Myofunctional Therapy Treat?

• Tongue thrust (tongue pushing forward during swallowing or at rest)

• Chronic mouth breathing

• Low, forward, or resting tongue posture

• Certain speech sound errors tied to tongue placement

• Thumb-sucking or pacifier habits that haven't resolved on their own

• Feeding and chewing difficulties linked to oral muscle weakness

Signs Your Child Might Benefit From Myofunctional Therapy

Common signs include an open-mouth resting posture, snoring or noisy breathing during sleep, a lisp or other persistent speech sound difficulty, messy or effortful chewing, and a lasting thumb, finger, or pacifier habit past the age most children outgrow it. None of these on their own is a diagnosis, but together they're worth having evaluated.

What Happens in a Myofunctional Therapy Session?

Sessions are playful and exercise-based, building strength and new muscle memory for tongue posture, swallowing, and nasal breathing through targeted, age-appropriate activities. Many families are surprised at how much a series of small, consistent exercises can shift over a few months.

Is Myofunctional Therapy Right for My Child?

Because myofunctional patterns overlap with speech, feeding, airway, and even orthodontic concerns, the clearest path is a full evaluation. At Green Light, myofunctional therapy is one piece of the same holistic, feeding-speech-myo approach we bring to every child we see across Deerfield and the North Shore of Chicago.

Curious whether your child's habits are something to watch or something to treat? Contact Green Light Speech Therapy to schedule an evaluation.