Ask A Therapist: Bite Block & Tongue Depressor Questions

I have a student who is using the red bite blocks. He just started. When I put the bite block #2 between his teeth he slides them over. Is this normal or should I reposition them?

I have another student who is having a very hard time holding the tongue depressor between his lips. He has a hard time dissociating between his lips and his tongue and jaw. His tongue is retroflex for l. He is currently working in l in the final positing of words and is having a hard time bringing the tongue forward and not back. Any advice?

Thanks

Rebecca

Hi Rebecca,

I would definitely reposition. I often have to have the patient bite a couple of times until it is positioned correctly especially with patients with severe weakness. You may even want to practice the biting without the bite block for correct position first and then go in with the bite block. Sometimes that helps as well.

As far as the second part of the question, I would make sure that I have addressed any jaw weakness first. That is typically the foundation of the issue. As far as the tongue placement I would work on stimulating with the toothette the forward placement of the tongue. I would touch with the toothette on the alveolar ridge where you want the tongue tip to touch and then I would touch the tip of the tongue with the toothette. You can use vibration with the toothette if your client will accept that. This has helped many patients I have worked with find the appropriate placement.

Please let me know if you have any other questions. We are always here and happy to help.

Thanks,

Liz

Elizabeth Smithson, MSP, CCC-SLP is a Speech-Language Pathologist who has over 11 years of professional experience working with infants, children, adolescents and adults. She earned her Master of Speech Pathology at the University of South Carolina. Liz is also a Level 5 TalkTools® Trained Therapist. She has received specialized training in Oral Placement Therapy, Speech, Feeding, Apraxia, Sensory Processing Disorders, and PROMPT©. Liz works with clients with a wide range of disabilities including Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, and Spinal Muscular Atrophy.  She works through her own private practice Elizabeth Smithson Therapy, LLC in the home setting and in the TalkTools® office in Charleston, SC.