Oral motor therapy techniques

For some children, everyday actions like chewing food, blowing bubbles, or forming simple sounds don’t come easily. These struggles may be linked to weak oral muscles, poor coordination, or limited sensory awareness. That’s where oral motor therapy techniques come into play—targeted exercises and strategies that help strengthen the mouth, jaw, tongue, and lips to support better speech, feeding, and overall communication.

At OrbRom Center in Phnom Penh, our trained therapists use oral motor therapy as part of a comprehensive approach for children with speech delays, articulation issues, oral defensiveness, and feeding difficulties. Whether your child is nonverbal, struggling to chew solid foods, or hard to understand, we’re here to support their growth through engaging, evidence-based interventions.

What Is Oral Motor Therapy?

Oral motor therapy involves exercises and sensory strategies designed to improve the strength, movement, and coordination of the muscles used for speech and feeding. This type of therapy supports children who have:

• Difficulty pronouncing sounds (e.g., /p/, /b/, /m/, /t/, /k/)

• Drooling or poor lip closure

• Weak jaw stability

• Difficulty with chewing or transitioning to solid foods

• Gagging or pocketing food

• Low tone or limited movement in the tongue or lips

At OrbRom Center, we use oral motor therapy techniques in a fun, child-centered way—so children stay motivated while building essential skills.

Who Can Benefit from Oral Motor Therapy?

Oral motor therapy is often used with children who have:

• Speech sound disorders or articulation delay

• Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS)

• Feeding difficulties or oral aversion

• Down syndrome or other low muscle tone conditions

• Autism spectrum disorder with sensory-motor oral issues

• Cerebral palsy or neurological conditions

If your child struggles with drooling, unclear speech, or inconsistent sound production, oral motor therapy may be the missing piece in their treatment plan.

Core Oral Motor Therapy Techniques Used at OrbRom Center

Our licensed speech-language pathologists and feeding therapists use a variety of oral motor exercises and sensory strategies, always adapted to your child’s age and ability. Below are some of the techniques commonly used:

1. Jaw Stabilization Exercises

• Chewy tubes or resistive biting tools

• Jaw grading exercises to build strength and control

• Mirror work to develop jaw symmetry

2. Lip Closure & Strengthening

• Blowing bubbles, horns, or pinwheels

• Drinking from straws of varying resistance

• Holding objects (like a lollipop) with lips to build closure

3. Tongue Movement & Elevation

• Tongue tip exercises (touching nose, chin, corners of mouth)

• Pushing tongue against a popsicle stick for strength

• Licking peanut butter off lips to increase tongue control

4. Breath Support for Speech

• Balloon blowing or straw-blowing games

• Controlled breathing exercises to support speech fluency

5. Sensory Desensitization Techniques

• Introducing different textures (toothbrushes, vibration tools, cloths)

• Oral massage or vibration to increase sensory tolerance

• Taste and temperature exploration to stimulate oral awareness

Each technique is part of a structured program that builds from isolated motor movements to functional speech and feeding outcomes.

Why Families in Cambodia Trust OrbRom Center

Access to quality oral motor therapy in Cambodia has historically been limited. At OrbRom Center in Phnom Penh, we are proud to offer specialized services with trained professionals who understand both the science of therapy and the unique needs of local and international families.

What makes us different:

• Speech-language pathologists trained in oral-motor and feeding therapy

• Multilingual support (English and Khmer)

• Child-friendly therapy rooms with safe oral motor tools

• Collaboration with occupational therapy and [feeding therapy] when needed

• Home programs and caregiver coaching to reinforce progress outside sessions

We understand that no two children are alike. Our approach is always individualized, holistic, and rooted in best practices.

Building Speech and Feeding Skills Step by Step

Oral motor therapy is not a quick fix—but with time, consistency, and professional support, it can bring powerful changes. Children who once struggled to chew, blow, or speak can gain strength, confidence, and independence.

If you’re concerned about your child’s speech clarity or feeding challenges, OrbRom Center in Phnom Penh is here to help with expert guidance and personalized care.