Beckman Oral Motor Therapy (BOMT) is a specialized form of therapy that focuses on improving the strength, coordination, and movement of the muscles involved in speech and swallowing. BOMT is named after its creator, Debra Beckman, and is a widely recognized therapy approach used by speech therapists at Talk About Therapy – Speech Therapy, located in Atlanta.
BOMT is based on the idea that many speech and swallowing difficulties are caused by weakness or lack of coordination in the muscles of the mouth, face, and throat. By improving the strength and coordination of these muscles, BOMT can help individuals improve their ability to speak and swallow effectively.
BOMT is a non-invasive and gentle therapy approach that can be used with individuals of all ages. It involves a variety of techniques, including oral massage, muscle stretching, and muscle strengthening exercises. These exercises are designed to target specific muscles involved in speech and swallowing and can be tailored to the individual needs of each patient.
One of the benefits of BOMT is that it can help to improve speech clarity. By strengthening the muscles involved in speech, individuals can produce clearer and more precise speech sounds. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals with speech sound disorders, such as articulation disorders or phonological disorders.
Another benefit of BOMT is that it can improve oral motor coordination. Oral motor coordination is the ability to move the muscles of the mouth and face in a coordinated and precise manner. Individuals with oral motor coordination difficulties may have difficulty with tasks such as chewing, swallowing, and speaking. BOMT can help to improve oral motor coordination by targeting specific muscle groups and teaching individuals how to use them effectively.
BOMT can also be beneficial for individuals with feeding and swallowing difficulties. Feeding and swallowing difficulties can be caused by a variety of factors, including neurological disorders, developmental disorders, and structural abnormalities. BOMT can help to improve the strength and coordination of the muscles involved in swallowing, which can help individuals to swallow safely and effectively.
Overall, BOMT is a valuable therapy approach for individuals with speech and swallowing difficulties. By improving the strength, coordination, and movement of the muscles involved in speech and swallowing, BOMT can help individuals unlock their voice and improve their ability to communicate effectively. If you or someone you know is experiencing speech or swallowing difficulties, Talk About Therapy – Speech Therapy in Atlanta offers BOMT and other specialized therapy approaches to help individuals reach their communication goals.
