Why We Use Horns and Straws in Therapy

Here at the Speech Language Pathology Center, all our therapists are trained in Oral Placement Therapy, but what is that exactly? Developed by Sara Rosenfeld-Johnson, “Talk Tools” focuses on building awareness, placement, stability, endurance, and muscle memory of oral structures for improved speech clarity and swallowing function. This program involves two key parts: horns and straws.

The straws target tongue retraction, which is essential for correctly producing a variety of sounds including /s, z, and r/. When using the straw, the client is asked to take a small sip, smile, and then swallow. The goal is to achieve 20 swallows. Using this sequence ensures tongue retraction. There are a total of 7 straws that we use here. As clients progress through the hierarchy, “the goal is to achieve close to a 75% retraction…When the back of the tongue is in stabilized retraction it allows the tip of the tongue to move side to side” (Rosenfeld-Johnson, 1999).

The horns target phonation, reducing/eliminating drool, improving speech clarity, and improving sensory awareness. There are a total of 12 horns that we use here. As clients progress through the hierarchy, the horns target the abdominal muscles, velum, jaw, lips, and tongue. When using the horn, the client is asked to activate the horn using strong breath support. The goal is the achieve 25 activations.

 

These tools can be used with clients at any age. Some populations that benefit from oral placement therapy are those with tongue thrust, cleft palate repairs, feeding difficulties, speech sound disorders, bruxism (teeth grinding), and low tone. To learn more about this program, visit the Talk Tools website. If you have any additional questions or would like further information, please give us a call to speak to an experienced clinician!

References:

Rosenfeld-Johnson, S. (1999). Straws As Therapy Tools. Advance.

 Rosenfeld-Johnson, S. (1999). Horns As Therapy Tools. Advance.

Summer Reading Fun for Everyone!

Wishing you all a wonderful start to school vacation. Kick off the summer with the fun book ideas below! Comment with your favorite summer books!

Commotion in the Ocean by Giles Andreae

This book is a wonderful collection of short poems/rhymes about animals that live in or around the ocean. Perfect for early language learners! Talk about the fun, colorful cartoon pictures as you or your child points to them to introduce ocean animal vocabulary. Repeat key words over and over. Copy and add to what your child says. For example, if your child points to a crab and says “crab,” add an early concept (numbers, colors, -ing verbs, plural -s, etc.) to what they said: “Red crab.” “One, two, three crabs.” “Crabs are walking.” Encourage your child to help turn the pages as you read. As you read the book more times, test your child’s understanding of vocabulary by asking simple questions (yes/no, who, what, what doing, where). Example: “Is this a dolphin? – No, it’s a shark!” or “Where is the penguin? – He’s on the snow!”

Bear’s New Friend by Karma Wilson

Bear and his friends are spending time together on a hot, summer day while a new animal friend hides nearby. Bear and his friends try to find out who is hiding! This book is perfect for early language learners and families, alike. Each page has a repeating word. After multiple pages, see if your child can fill in the repeated word. With bright and colorful pictures of nature, you can introduce new vocabulary and concepts on every page!

A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee by Chris Van Dusen

Mr. Magee and his dog, Dee take a summer camping trip to the mountains where a silly, exciting, and eventful weekend takes place. Perfect for elementary-aged children! Have your child identify story grammar elements as you are reading (characters, setting, kick-off, feelings, plan, action, resolution.). See if your child can answer prediction questions about what might happen next. When you are done, have your child retell the story including all the important elements. Encourage them to use transitions words such as “first,” “then,” “next,” and “last.”

If you feel like your child or someone you know is in need of therapy services in the areas of speech, language or feeding, please don’t hesitate to call and speak to a clinician today. You can also visit our “Free Screener” tab to answer a few questions and determine if these services may be right for you and your family! We are here to help in any way possible!