Rationale for including orofacial myofunctional therapy in university training programs

Area of Science:

• Speech-language pathology
• Orofacial myofunctional disorders

Background:

• Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) play a crucial role in addressing orofacial myofunctional phenomena.
• Existing training for SLPs in orofacial myology is often insufficient to meet clinical demands.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the perceived need for enhanced training in orofacial myology among speech-language pathologists.
• To review current professional standards and suggested competencies in orofacial myology.

Main Methods:

• A survey was conducted among speech-language pathologists to gauge their training needs and adequacy.
• Analysis of survey responses to quantify the perceived necessity and sufficiency of orofacial myology education.

Main Results:

• A significant majority (97.7%) of surveyed SLPs believe specialized training in orofacial myology is necessary.
• Only a small fraction (7.9%) of respondents felt their current training in this area was adequate.
• Review of American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) position statements and International Association of Orofacial Myology (IAOM) competencies was performed.

Conclusions:

• There is a critical and widely recognized need for comprehensive orofacial myofunctional therapy training for speech-language pathologists.
• Current educational programs may not adequately prepare SLPs to address orofacial myofunctional disorders effectively.
• Alignment with ASHA and IAOM suggested competencies is essential for advancing clinical practice in orofacial myology.