The Beckman Oral Motor Protocol is an intervention that utilizes assisted movement and stretch reflexes to activate muscle contraction, build strength, and improve range of motion to the lips, jaw, tongue, and soft palate. It assesses the response to pressure, movement, range, and strength, and a variety and control of movement.
Who would benefit from the Beckman Oral Motor Protocol?
Children who have poor oral motor skills, such as:
Drooling
Hyper/hyposensitivity
Pocketing food
Difficulty controlling fluids in the mouth
Difficulty latching
How can we help?
Michigan Pediatric Therapy has occupational therapists that are trained in the Beckman Oral Motor Protocol. Please contact us if you have any questions. Not only do our OTs perform the Beckman stretches with our pediatric patients during appointments, but we also educate parents on how to do them at home with their child as part of their at-home regimen in order to continue to make forward progress.
The photos above and below show one of our experienced OTs doing some of the Beckman Oral Motor stretches with a couple of her patients, including C-stretches and lip pulls.
Magda Girao, OTRL, CST-D, NDT, Founder
Magda has more than 20 years of experience as a licensed occupational therapist. Magda has a Diplomate (advanced) certification in craniosacral therapy through the Upledger Institute. She is certified in neurodevelopmental techniques, is an expert in the treatment of children with breastfeeding and other feeding issues, and is certified in therapeutic listening. Magda has extensive training in feeding issues and is trained in tethered oral tissues, SOS Approach, Beckman Protocol, Talk Tools, Nomas, mealtime misery, and AFRID.
