Oral Placement Therapy (OPT)

ROBYN MERKEL-WALSH M.A., CCC-SLP, COM®

Oral Placement Therapy (OPT)

A tactile therapy method targeting oral motor movements for speech clarity.

Oral Placement Therapy (OPT) is a tactile-proprioceptive therapy method used with individuals who do not respond to traditional "look at me and say what I say" speech therapy approaches. OPT provides tactile cues to the articulators (lips, tongue, jaw, cheeks) to help the patient feel and execute the correct placement for speech sounds.

Robyn Merkel-Walsh is a leading expert in OPT, having published extensively on the topic and trained therapists internationally through TalkTools® Speakers Bureau. OPT is particularly effective for children and adults with:

  • Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS)
  • Dysarthria
  • Down syndrome
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
  • Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTs)
  • Low oral muscle tone
  • Motor-based speech sound disorders

Sessions incorporate specialized therapeutic tools designed to build jaw stability, lip rounding, tongue elevation and other critical movements for clear speech.

Have questions or ready to schedule? Contact Robyn today.

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