Speech Therapy Assessment and Treatment of Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders
Marina Tomatis, Selene Celestini
Orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs) are increasingly relevant in speech and language therapy; however, Italian speech and language therapists’ (SLTs) perceptions of their training and available clinical tools remain underexplored. This study investigates Italian SLTs’ perceptions regarding education, assessment tools, and rehabilitative approaches used in the management of individuals with OMDs. An exploratory survey was conducted using a 19-item ad hoc online questionnaire administered to 152 Italian SLPs. Findings reveal that most respondents perceive undergraduate education on OMDs as insufficient, leading to extensive reliance on post-graduate training. Qualitative and semi-structured assessments are widely used, whereas validated standardized protocols are known and applied by only a portion of the sample. Orofacial myofunctional therapy represents the most commonly adopted treatment approach, although clinical practices appear heterogeneous. The study highlights the need to strengthen undergraduate education, promote the dissemination of validated assessment tools, and develop shared national clinical guidelines to improve consistency and effectiveness in OMD management.
Keywords
Orofacial myofunctional disorder; Myofunctional assessment; Orofacial myofunctional therapy; Speech and language therapy education; Clinical speech-language practice.
