HIU8
05-10-2011, 02:04 PM
DS had a LONG speech eval today. He exhibits 2 of the 3 forms of articulation issues that someone can have. Plus oral motor issues (tongue thrusting) --lone tone in his tongue and a very high palate. Plus pragmatic issues that will be dealt with via a social skills class with a speech therapist a a drama specialist. ANYWAY, the speech therapist suggested talking to the ENT and the dentist/orthodontist (who both know her) about a palate expander for DS. She feels that needs to be done first before some of the oral motor issues and one articulation issue can be corrected. The ENT never spoke to me about DS's high palate and using an expander to flatten it and open up his nasal passages (you may remember that DS has sleep apnea and a narrow airway and has already had his tonsils and adenoids removed). The dentist/orthondists office has spoken briefly with me about a palate expander being in DS's future. We have an appointment next week for teeth cleaning and I will bring it up then. I'm curious if anyone has dealt with using a palate expander on a child under 7 as a first step in dealing with oral motor issues?
BTW, DD has a palate higher than DS's and the same narrow airway and sleep apnea issues--also had everything removed by an ENT. The speech therapist said that palate expanders have been used on kids as young as 3 or 4 when necessary to help in the correction or oral motor and speech issues. Has anyone else heard this before?
BTW, DD has a palate higher than DS's and the same narrow airway and sleep apnea issues--also had everything removed by an ENT. The speech therapist said that palate expanders have been used on kids as young as 3 or 4 when necessary to help in the correction or oral motor and speech issues. Has anyone else heard this before?