Utilization and demonstration of oral motor tools

Oral motor skills are skills related to feeding and communication. These include intact sensory and motor function of the structures associated with it. Like tongue, jaw, lips etc. Many neurological and developmental disabilities demonstrate impaired oral motor function. There is difficulty in lip closure, diminished tongue movements, pocketing of food, dysphagia, and speech difficulties. Oral motor intervention comprises of active exercises, passive exercises and sensory stimulation. These techniques are being used in conjunction with medical intervention to improve function. The efficacy of these techniques has yet not been established due to lack of substantial evidence. Occupational therapists have been using these tools in their rehabilitative, biomechanical and sensory frame of references in patient care. This project was done to demonstrate utilization of different tools used to accomplish this goal. The tools were collected and some were made based on their efficacy in facilitating function. These tools were then utilized for patient care in targeted population to find its effectiveness.