Oral Motor Dysfunction/OralDefensiveness

My 6 yo is unable to make his tongue and teeth work together to form a bolus of food to chew.  I suspect this is the result of his oral sensory dysfunction as a baby and toddler.  Tastes and textures terrified him.  He never learned how to chew properly.

Although he has overcome this terror of food and can tolerate "regular" food mixed into a casserole, he has no idea how to move the food around with his tongue.  I cannot find and OT or ST who knows how to treate this.  He has absolutely no speech problems; just eating problems.  No one has ever heard of this, not even his dentist.  Don't some stroke victims need help with this type of issue?  Isn't there anyone out there who knows?

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

I'm sorry I can't help you myself, but hopefully one of the readers of the Forum can weigh in.

[joanna hanna]

i am sorry try to  post on the nuerology forum around 8 in the morning.  also look into siensory integration disorder and see if this cnat help any

joanna

[Steven's Mommy]

Thank you for your comments.  I have finally found a Ph.D. Speech Pathologist, Dr. Suzanne Morris, in Virginia who has extensive knowledge of this phenomenon.  I have ordered her book, Pre-Feeding Skills, which addresses comprehensive treatments for these children from birth to adolescence.  It actually teaches you how to teach them this skill.  She also has an entire catalogue of specially designed chewing toys to help additionally strengthen their oral motor abilities.  Thank goodness I found her.