I want to second the letter from Diane Bahr in the Nov. 27, 2007, issue regarding the need for ASHA to help the profession come to some kind of consensus regarding the way we define and use "oral-motor" therapy techniques. Because we don't have a current position paper on the use of the terms, the nature of the treatment, and how it should (and shouldn't) be used, there is apparently some confusion within our field. Certainly, we can all agree that the movement of oral muscles plays at least some part in the production of speech, so I'm concerned that there is a move by some to dismiss any intervention that involves them, particularly in populations with motor-speech disorders. We need to speak the same language and reach a common ground on this very important topic. A healthy discourse and study of the topic by an ASHA committee is a great idea.
Patricia Hamaguchi
Morgan Hill, CA
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