How SLPs Can Add OMD to Their Practice

Speech-language pathologists are among the best-positioned clinicians to identify and treat orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs). The overlap between articulation, resonance, feeding, and myofunctional function means that many SLPs are already working with patients who have underlying OMDs — they just may not have the formal training to assess and treat them directly.

Why OMD Training Makes Sense for SLPs

The muscles of the face, lips, tongue, and jaw are central to both speech production and myofunctional function. When a patient presents with a lisp, open-mouth posture, or difficulty with certain phonemes, there is often a myofunctional component that, if left unaddressed, limits the effectiveness of traditional articulation therapy.

Adding OMD assessment and treatment to your scope of practice allows you to:

• Address root causes rather than just surface-level speech errors
• Expand your caseload to include patients referred specifically for myofunctional concerns
• Collaborate more effectively with orthodontists, dentists, and ENTs
• Offer a more comprehensive service to pediatric and adult patients alike

What Does OMD Assessment Look Like?

A thorough OMD assessment evaluates the structure and function of the orofacial complex — including lip seal at rest, tongue posture, nasal versus oral breathing patterns, swallowing function, and facial muscle tone. Many of these observations will feel familiar to SLPs who already conduct oral mechanism exams as part of their standard intake process.

The key difference is the systematic, myofunctionally-focused lens: you are not just noting whether structures are intact, but evaluating habitual patterns that may be driving or perpetuating the patient's presenting concerns.

Integrating OMD into an Existing Caseload

You do not need to overhaul your practice to begin incorporating myofunctional therapy. Start by screening existing patients for common OMD indicators:

• Persistent open-mouth posture or lip incompetence
• Tongue thrust during swallowing
• Interdental or lateral lisps that have not responded to standard articulation approaches
• History of prolonged pacifier or bottle use, thumb sucking, or nail biting
• Mouth breathing, snoring, or sleep-disordered breathing concerns

Patients who screen positive for OMD indicators are strong candidates for a full myofunctional evaluation — and potentially for a dedicated course of myofunctional therapy alongside or following traditional speech therapy.

Building Interdisciplinary Referral Relationships

One of the most valuable outcomes of OMD training is the ability to communicate fluently with other members of the patient's care team. Orthodontists, pediatric dentists, ENTs, and sleep medicine physicians are increasingly aware of the role myofunctional disorders play in their patients' outcomes — and they are actively looking for SLPs and RDHs who can serve as myofunctional partners.

Introducing yourself to local orthodontic and dental practices as a clinician with OMD training can open a steady referral pipeline. Many orthodontists now require myofunctional therapy as a prerequisite or adjunct to treatment, particularly for patients with open bites, tongue thrust, or relapse risk.

Getting Certified: The COM® Pathway

The International Association of Orofacial Myology (IAOM) offers the Certified Orofacial Myologist (COM®) credential — the gold standard in the field. To sit for the COM® exam, candidates must complete approved coursework and accumulate supervised clinical hours in myofunctional therapy.

The Perspectives in Orofacial Myology course is designed to provide the foundational knowledge and clinical framework you need to begin that journey. Over four intensive days, you will cover anatomy and physiology, assessment protocols, treatment planning, and hands-on skill development — all taught by practicing clinicians who hold the COM® credential.

Is the POM Course Right for You?

If you are an SLP who wants to expand your clinical scope, improve outcomes for patients with persistent speech errors, and build interdisciplinary referral relationships, the POM course is a strong fit. The curriculum is designed to be immediately applicable — you will leave with assessment tools, treatment frameworks, and the confidence to begin integrating OMD into your practice right away.

The next course takes place October 23–26, 2026 in Westchester County, NY. Early bird pricing is available through August 1, 2026.