Course Description

This course is taught by TalkTools Instructor, Heather Vukelich and Dr. Brian Hockel, DDS and discusses typical vs. atypical jaw and mouth muscle development and how these impact the basics of life: speech, feeding -- and breathing -- with an emphasis on the Down syndrome population.
Heather and Brian provide strategies and techniques for improved speech, feeding, breathing and sleeping -- from both the SLP perspective and the orthodontist perspective.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will be able to: 

1. Summarize the etiology of facial and airway growth, and the implications for sleep apnea.
2. Apply OPT methods as part of overall treatment for speech and facial development.
3. Demonstrate orthodontic approaches which affect speech, facial appearance and airway health.

Content Disclosure: This presentation will focus on treatment methods related to the use of TalkTools® OPT resources. Other similar treatment approaches will receive limited or no coverage during this lecture.

Academy of General Dentistry (AGD)