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Debbie's Blog

Assisting Lip Closure

Posted by Debra C. Lowsky, MS, CCC-SLP on 22nd Jul 2015

Just like its namesake, lip closure (also known as lip seal) is the ability to close one's lips.  It's important for several different speech/feeding/oral motor skills: .  .  … read more

Practicing a Rhythmic Chewing Pattern

Posted by Debra C. Lowsky, MS, CCC-SLP on 11th May 2015

Rhythmic chewing is one component of a mature chewing pattern.  There's a tempo to the way we chew - it's not sporadic;  we don't chew fast then slow then fast agai … read more

How to Develop a Rotary Chewing Pattern

Posted by Debra C. Lowsky, MS, CCC-SLP on 3rd Jun 2014

I recently completed a Clinical Swallow Evaluation and today a Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study of a 10 yr old boy's swallow (both revealed a safe swallow that is within normal limits) and observed … read more

Tongue Pop Oral Motor Exercises

Posted by Debra C. Lowsky, MS, CCC-SLP on 10th Sep 2013

Tongue pops are my faaaavorite oral motor exercise.  They're a fun and easy way to work on tongue placement, oral tone, tongue tip elevation and control, plus tongue and jaw dissocia … read more

Improving Jaw Strength & Stability

Posted by Debra C. Lowsky, MS, CCC-SLP on 22nd Aug 2013

The tongue is connected to the jaw, so wherever the jaw goes, the tongue follows. Speech sounds are properly articulated when the jaw and tongue are at midline and symmetrical. So if the jaw and … read more