| Description |
Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTs) is the restriction of the frena or frenulum, which are small folds of tissue that connect bone to tissue and support or limit movement. The term TOTs is used to describe restriction of the frenula in the tongue (ankyloglossia), lip (lip-tie) or buccal frena. Robyn and Lori created a detailed functional assessment protocol that task the impact of TOTs on oral motor, feeding and speech skills. From this assessment, goals are established and a treatment protocol can be generated.
This course provides participants with specific neuromuscular re-reeducation tasks that will assist with the functional impact of TOTs on pre-feeding, feeding and speech. Robyn and Lori will teach participants specific passive and active exercises for breast, bottle, cup, spoon, solid and straw feeding in addition to the oral placements required for speech clarity. Pre and post- operative considerations as well as surgical procedures will be discussed. Neuromuscular re-education of the cheeks, lips and tongue will be presented and numerous demonstrations, practicums and video slides will teach participants to execute a functional remediation program. Techniques learned may be executed in the school, hospital or clinic based settings. This course is rich with evidence based practices and will address many of the controversies that make TOTs a “hot topic” (e.g. who is the team leader?)
Learning Outcomes
Participants will be able to list at least 2 red flags for TOTs.
Participants will be able to identify at least 3 ways in which TOTs can impact feeding and/or speech.
Participants will be able to execute at least 3 neuromuscular education activities for pre and post op TOTs.
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