SIMPLE START'S

WE UNDERSTAND 

Being a parent is a role that can bring you great joy and happiness as well as challenges to deal with. Nurturing a child and watching them grow and develop into their own unique person can add so much meaning and purpose to one’s life. The role of the parent is pivotal; however, we strive to provide continuous encouragement, support, and access to activities that enable the child to master key developmental tasks and accomplishments. As a parent, we are that child's first teacher and remain their biggest advocate throughout life. 

You want the very best for your child — every parent does! But let’s admit it, raising a child can be overwhelming. There are health concerns, safety issues, nutrition, self-esteem, education, and socialization. And that's just on a good day! Many parents even worry whether their child is growing and developing the way they should be. Don't worry. Every parent has the same issues and worries. Sometimes you just need a little help…

At Orofacial Myology of Central Texas, we believe in giving children healthy starts. Specializing in prevention, we educate and advocate for proper craniofacial growth and development of the upper respiratory system by teaching the importance of a proper oral rest posture and nasal-diaphragmatic breathing from birth. We strive for routine sleep hygiene and restorative sleep. We focus on healthy diets, as mastication aids in bony growth, and teach correct chewing and swallowing patterns without compensation or muscle impairment. With these tools, an orofacial myofunctional therapist, and an intradisciplinary team can help guide and facilitate the growth of a healthy, functional upper airway complex. 

As a solution to a silent epidemic and growing concerns of Sleep Disordered Breathing in children, we have developed a set of comprehensive guidelines; well-check visits to aid in the education, identification and prevention of poor craniofacial growth and development that may place children at risk for dysfunctional breathing that can lead to systemic health concerns later in life. 

OROFACIAL MYOFUNCTIONAL PERIODICITY SCHEDULE 

It is a schedule of myofunctional screenings and assessments recommended from infancy through adolescence to help guide and facilitate proper craniofacial growth and development for a healthy upper airway complex, as well as help habituate and maintain healthy behaviors and habits that keep it stable. 

Know that from the first time that your child comes to our office, we start checking for proper facial growth and development of the oral cavity, the two jaws, as well as harmony, and symmetry of the face. Early detection and treatment of muscle impairment and maladaptive behaviors can give your child the edge: a better chance for natural and normal development, allowing them to be the best version of themselves. By working with the natural growth instead of against it, we can hopefully prevent problems, lesson symptoms, and give your child the gift of a healthy upper airway, and smile for life!

Our “Simple Start’s” program consists of a series of orofacial myofunctional screenings and assessments, staggered at various ages; very similar to what you would expect at a pediatrician’s office. Just like your pediatrician, our goals are continually assessing a growing child, at specific stages of growth, observing and assuring the child has been appropriately screened, and growing optimally for their age. 

WELL CHECK EXAMS 

The first well check should be scheduled 3-6 days after birth. Our Lactation Consultant, and Myofunctional Therapist team up to provide a comprehensive assessment, addressing both FORM and FUNCTION. Tethered oral tissues can interrupt breastfeeding, which is the precursor of all oral function. If addressed early, the intervention provided can then be preventative in nature, thus changing the trajectory of craniofacial growth and development, and oral function later in life. 

BABY BUNDLE + FRENECTOMY CARE  

Most families in need start with this bundle. This unique package includes the Infant New Patient Exam where we assess both mom and baby, as well as breastfeeding through a 2-demensional lens: FORM + FUNCTION. If frenectomy care is deemed appropriate, our team is equipped to build an intradisciplinary team to meet you, and your baby’s needs. We help with the coordination of care between a surgeon, appropriate body workers, and our therapists who are available to the family day, and night for any questions or concerns along the way. We do recommend meeting prior to the procedure, so our team can discuss, and practice the post-operative in depth. We will then meet 3-days after surgery, for a wound check and begin to restore breastfeeding without compensation. The total bundle will include 5 sessions: Pre-Operative Care, a 3-day, a 1-week, and 4-week wound check with appropriate guidance and council. The last visit, given all is well, is the 6-Month well check where the baby is automatically enrolled our Simple Start’s Orofacial Myofunctional Periodic Well Check Schedule.  

After the 6-Month well check, continuous appointments are scheduled at pivotal points of growth and development, and could include the following:

• Identification of Restrictive Tethered Oral Tissues
• Successful Breastfeeding or Bottle Selection
• Nasal Hygiene for Functional breathing, day and night 
• Sleep Hygiene for Restorative Sleep
• Proper Oral Rest Posture to guide Proper Craniofacial Growth
• Development of the Face and Jaws
• Tool Selections: Chewing, Cups, and Utensils 
• Healthy Diet that Promotes Mastication, and Craniofacial Bony Growth
• Age-Appropriate Feeding, Chewing, and Swallowing Mechanics
• Functional Dental Occlusion, absent of Upper Airway Complex Anomalies
• Functional Speech 
• Importance of Playing Outside 
• Emotional and Social Wellbeing of a Child 
• Developmental Milestones 

THE BENIFITS OF SIMPLE STARTS 

Parent Education: 

We have a wealth of information and free resources for parents, and professional colleges to use, borrow, and learn from. By keeping parents, and patients aware and knowledgeable about orofacial myofunctional disorders and how they can affect the health of a growing child, we can help aid in healthy living as an adult.

Preventative Steps:

Our goal is to be your child’s airway activist and advocate. As your child gets scheduled for well check visits, we can help prevent or redirect poor craniofacial growth and development as it relates to the upper airway complex. 

Tracked Growth and Development:

Let us track how much your child has grown in the time since their last visit. If there are any concerns, you will be able to talk with professionals about your child's delays in growth and development, what might be the contributing factors, and discover treatment that can aid in success. 

Answered Questions or Concerns:

Making a list of topics you might want to talk about with your child's therapist is always encouraged. Parents might want to discuss development, growth, behavior or habits, sleep, school performance, emotional health and physical health. Bring your questions or concerns with you. We urge you to talk with your therapist at the start of each visit so we can properly guide you to answers, resources, tools, and treatment.

Having a Team Approach:

Regular visits create strong, trustworthy relationships among pediatricians, medical and dental specialist, parents and a child. We recommend well-check visits as a way for our therapist to help parents to serve the needs of their children. Having an intradisciplinary team approach to comprehensive care, helps develop optimal physical, mental and social health of a child.