Many verbal disorders that are a result of dysarthria, aphasia, apraxia and autism spectrum can be treated with the help of oral motor exercises and oral motor therapy.
Upon consulting a speech therapist, he would suggest a lot of mouth exercises that can be practised to better the speech and communication skills of patients suffering from verbal problems.
There are also a lot of home tricks for oral motor speech therapy that are simple and can improve the conversational abilities of patients.
Home Tricks for Oral Motor Therapy: Most of the exercises prescribed as a part of speech therapy are fun and apart from doing the needful they also add to the recreation.
Let us look at a few exercise easy to be practised at home.
Blowing Bubbles: This might sound childish, but is very effective for developing a control over your breath and also for pursing your lips.
Playing a Harmonica: Blowing a harmonica is also a wonderful way to learn controlling your breath and pursing your lips.
- For patients suffering from a weak breath control, it is suggested to play loud sounds on the harmonica
- For patients whose lip strength is weak, they better learn to play notes one by one.
Blowing a Kazoo: Kazoo is an instrument which needs to be hummed into to make any kind of sound. Trying to hum to make a sound would help improve the vocal control and breathing control.
Drinking with a Straw: Yes, straws can help improve your sucking skills along with lip pursing. Starting with thin liquids like juices and then switching to thicker ones like milk shake is suggested.
But, if the patient has a difficulty swallowing, straws are not suggested.
Isometric Exercises: Isometric exercises improve muscle strength. In an isometric exercise, muscle strength is increased by trying to apply force against an immovable object.
You can try tongue, jaw and chin isometric exercises at home.
- In a tongue exercise, try pushing the tip of the tongue against an external object like a spoon up to a count of 5. Do the same with the left and right tips of your tongue at least 3-4 times a day.
- In a jaw exercise, the jaw of the patient must be held by an external force (anyone can be an external force) and trying to open the jaw only with the help[ of jaw muscles should be practised.
- In a chin exercise, move the chin from one side to the other without the head moving. Try practising at different speeds.
Also, brushing and icing the lips can help improve the lip muscle strength. Even a smiling exercise can improve the muscle strength around the mouth.
Licking an ice cream is also a very good tongue exercise. Also, you can apply peanut butter on your lips and try licking it with your tongue moving your tongue from one corner to another.
Home tricks for oral motor therapy is an inexpensive affair and a little practice daily could help improve the speech techniques in patients.
