In this episode of The Authentic SLP, Nicole unpacks one of the most overlooked roots of feeding, speech, and sleep challenges: oral-facial function. She explains how tongue/lip/“buccal” ties, low tongue posture, mouth breathing, enlarged adenoids/tonsils, pacifiers/thumb-sucking past 12 months, and true oral-motor weakness can shape a child’s palate, airway, behavior, and articulation over time.From NICU latches to kindergarten lisps, Nicole shares what’s evidence-informed, what’s overdone, and when a release isn’t the fix—highlighting practical first steps like ENT evaluation (including adenoid x-rays and sleep studies), early oral-motor work (e.g., Beckman), and when myofunctional therapy makes sense.If you’re a parent wondering whether to “wait and see,” or an SLP deciding where to invest in training, this episode offers a plain-spoken roadmap to protect airway, feeding, and speech—without overcomplicating the plan.You’ll learn:How low tongue posture and mouth breathing impact palate growth, sleep, and attentionWhen ties are truly ties—and why surrounding tissue tension can mimic themWhy early oral-motor work (Beckman) can prevent long-term braces/sleep issuesWhen to loop in ENT, dentists/orthodontists, or myofunctional therapistsRed flags that mean it’s time to evaluate (not panic)Need a quick gut-check on next steps? Book a consult via the link in Nicole’s bio to get matched with the right local provider for your child.

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