Exploring Australian speech-language pathologists’ use and perceptions ofnon-speech oral motor exercises

Abstract

Purpose: To explore Australian speech-language pathologists’ use of non-speech oral motor exercises, and rationales for using/not using non-speech oral motor exercises in clinical practice.

Methods: A total of 124 speech-language pathologists practising in Australia, working with paediatric and/or adult clients with speech sound difficulties, completed an online survey.

Results: The majority of speech-language pathologists reported that they did not use non-speech oral motor exercises when working with paediatric or adult clients with speech sound difficulties. However, more than half of the speech-language pathologists working with adult clients who have dysarthria reported using non-speech oral motor exercises with this population. The most frequently reported rationale for using non-speech oral motor exercises in speech sound difficulty management was to improve awareness/placement of articulators. The majority of speech-language pathologists agreed there is no clear clinical or research evidence base to support non-speech oral motor exercise use with clients who have speech sound difficulties.

Conclusions: This study provides an overview of Australian speech-language pathologists’ reported use and perceptions of non-speech oral motor exercises’ applicability and efficacy in treating paediatric and adult clients who have speech sound difficulties. The research findings provide speech-language pathologists with insight into how and why non-speech oral motor exercises are currently used, and adds to the knowledge base regarding Australian speech-language pathology practice of non-speech oral motor exercises in the treatment of speech sound difficulties.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Non-speech oral motor exercises refer to oral motor activities which do not involve speech, but involve the manipulation or stimulation of oral structures including the lips, tongue, jaw, and soft palate.

• Non-speech oral motor exercises are intended to improve the function (e.g., movement, strength) of oral structures.

• The majority of speech-language pathologists agreed there is no clear clinical or research evidence base to support non-speech oral motor exercise use with clients who have speech sound disorders.

• Non-speech oral motor exercise use was most frequently reported in the treatment of dysarthria.

• Non-speech oral motor exercise use when targeting speech sound disorders is not widely endorsed in the literature.

Keywords:

• Non-speech
• oral motor
• exercises
• speech-language pathology
• speech sound difficulties

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the research participants for their time and willingness to contribute to the current research project. This project would not have been possible without the valuable input from the participants. Thank you also to Miss Josephine Moylan for her assistance with data analysis.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.