Mouth motor function sessions in the kbo-Kinderzentrum München

In the Mouth Motor Function sessions at the kbo-Kinderzentrum München, children with mouth motor/orofacial problems are examined. Suggestions for therapy are developed and parents and/or attending therapists are given advice.

What is orofacial diagnosis and treatment about?

Children with neurological diseases, e.g. cerebral palsy, Down's or other syndromes often also have mouth motor/orofacial problems: weak sucking, difficulty in swallowing, eating and chewing disorders, running saliva, tongue thrust, articulation disorders, tooth and bite problems (which are often the consequence of oral dysfunctions over years), etc. 

Early diagnosis and therapy are  important in order to prevent or reduce the consolidation of the above dysfunctions and other undesired consequences.

Diagnostic options 

1. Precise observation of the mouth and facial movements during drinking, eating, saliva swallowing, laughing, talking, etc.
2. Feeling the tissue in the area of the mouth, fact and neck and applying therapy elements to assess their effect, e.g. manual vibration.
3. Examination occasionally in consultation with an orthodontist.

If necessary, supplementary diagnostic measures may be organised (some externally):

1. Fibre optic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES)
2. Video fluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS)

Therapeutic options

• Orofacial therapy based on the Castillo Morales® concept (including palatal plates)
• Concepts according to Pörnbacher ® (therapy concept, NEPA)
• Padovan method NFR®
• Vojta, F.O.T.T.® (facio-oral tract therapy) 
• Myofunctional therapy

Alongside orofacial therapy, technical aids to provide stimulation or orthodontic regulation may be recommended. In many patients, functional orthodontic (removable) devices can help to align the jaw positioning and thus indirectly help to improve functions, especially in the period of the pubertal growth spurt.

In the Mouth Motor Function sessions, a therapy concept individually tailored to the patient is discussed and developed with the parents.