Children use more than just their hands to explore and engage with the world—they use their mouths, too. But when muscle coordination in the lips, tongue, cheeks, and jaw is delayed or disrupted, it can affect feeding, speech, and overall sensory regulation.
These challenges are often referred to as oral motor difficulties, and they can range from mild (like drooling or weak chewing) to more complex (like difficulty coordinating a safe swallow). While they’re common in children with developmental delays, they can also occur on their own.
At Panassea, we help families understand when to seek help and how to create positive, low-stress mealtime experiences.
What Are Oral Motor Difficulties?
Oral motor skills refer to the movement and coordination of the mouth muscles needed for eating, drinking, and speaking. These skills develop gradually, starting in infancy with sucking and rooting, and becoming more refined as children grow.
When those muscle groups aren’t working in sync, children may:
- Struggle to latch or suck efficiently
- Have difficulty chewing or managing different food textures
- Show signs of drooling beyond toddler years
- Gag frequently or refuse certain foods
- Struggle with speech clarity or sound formation
- Fatigue quickly during mealtime or talking
These difficulties aren’t always obvious at first. In fact, many families first notice picky eating, slow weight gain, or late speech development before realizing that oral motor coordination may be part of the picture.
When to Seek an Oral Motor Evaluation
Early intervention is key. If you notice feeding or speech issues that go beyond typical development, don’t wait to get support. A professional evaluation can help you understand your child’s unique needs and guide a customized treatment plan.
Signs Your Child May Need an Oral Motor Evaluation:
✅ Feeding Challenges
- Ongoing drooling past age 3
- Gagging or choking on certain textures
- Taking a long time to chew or swallow
- Avoiding foods that require effort (e.g., meat, crackers)
- Difficulty drinking from a straw or open cup
✅ Speech Delays or Challenges
- Slurred or “mushy” speech
- Limited consonant and vowel production
- Sound errors that persist beyond expected ages
- Mouth stays open at rest or during speech
- Frustration when trying to communicate
✅ Sensory Signs
- Avoiding or seeking intense oral input (chewing shirts, teeth grinding)
- Discomfort with brushing teeth or having mouth touched
- Overstuffing food into cheeks (“chipmunking”)
If your child shows several of these signs, an evaluation by a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) or Feeding and Swallowing Specialist can offer clarity. These professionals assess oral strength, coordination, breath support, and sensory responses to create a tailored therapy plan.
“We thought our son was just a ‘picky eater.’ Once we did an oral motor eval, we realized he was avoiding food because chewing was exhausting. Therapy changed everything.”
– Parent of a 4-year-old with oral motor delay
Final Thoughts for Families
Oral motor difficulties can feel confusing at first—but with awareness and early support, children can make meaningful progress in eating, speech, and daily comfort.
If your child struggles with chewing, swallowing, or speech clarity, trust your instincts. You know your child best. An evaluation can unlock the answers you need—and therapy strategies can turn stressful routines into joyful, empowering moments.
At Panassea, we’re here to help every step of the way—with therapy services, feeding tools, caregiver resources, and strategies that work in real-life homes.
📘 Explore More Resources
Download our free caregiver guides:
- Feeding and Chewing: A Parent’s Guide
- Daily Oral Motor Exercises at Home
🎥 Upcoming Webinars
✔ Oral Motor Red Flags: When to Refer
✔ Feeding Without the Pressure: Tips for Picky Eaters
✔ How to Support Speech and Swallowing at the Same Time
📩 Have questions or want help finding a therapist?
— we’re here with guidance, tools, and care that meet you where you are.
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