Oral Placement Therapy (OPT)

Oral Placement Therapy (OPT) is a therapeutic approach used to improve speech clarity and oral motor skills by addressing the physical movements of the lips, tongue, jaw, and other parts of the mouth. It is often used in speech therapy with individuals who have difficulty producing sounds correctly due to oral motor challenges, which may arise from developmental disabilities, neurological conditions, or speech disorders. OPT focuses on helping individuals develop the precise movements needed for speech and feeding.

Key Principles of Oral Placement Therapy:

  1. Oral-Motor Component: OPT addresses the physical aspects of speech by working on the strength, coordination, and control of the muscles involved in producing speech sounds. This includes the lips, tongue, jaw, and soft palate. Many individuals with speech disorders have difficulty controlling these muscles, which can impact their ability to produce clear speech.
  2. Use of Tactile Cues: OPT uses tactile-proprioceptive input to guide individuals in producing accurate speech sounds. This means the therapy involves physically feeling the correct positioning and movement of oral structures. Therapists may use tools such as straws, horns, or bite blocks to help individuals practice the movements needed for speech.
  3. Combination with Traditional Speech Therapy: OPT is often used in conjunction with other traditional speech therapy methods that focus on auditory and visual cues. While traditional therapy may focus on listening to and repeating sounds, OPT adds the element of physical (tactile) sensation to teach correct speech sound production.
  4. Addressing Speech and Feeding: In addition to improving speech, OPT is also commonly used to address **feeding issues**. Individuals who struggle with chewing, swallowing, or controlling food in their mouths may benefit from OPT, as the same muscles used for feeding are involved in speech production.
  5. Progression from Non-Speech to Speech Activities: OPT often starts with non-speech oral motor exercises to build strength and coordination before transitioning to speech-specific tasks. For example, blowing horns or sipping through a straw may help strengthen the muscles needed for speech sounds.

Benefits of Oral Placement Therapy:

  1. Improved speech clarity: By developing better control over the oral structures involved in speech, OPT helps individuals produce clearer, more accurate speech sounds.
  2. Enhanced feeding skills: Since the muscles used for speech are also important for feeding, OPT can help improve the ability to chew and swallow food safely.
  3. Increased oral motor strength and coordination: This helps not only with speech but with overall mouth movements for activities like eating, drinking, and breathing.

Oral Placement Therapy is typically individualized, meaning each program is tailored to the specific needs and challenges of the person receiving therapy. It’s especially useful when traditional speech therapy alone is not enough to address underlying oral motor deficits.