Shira is certified as a Breastfeeding Specialist, in Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy and Vocology.  We specialize in oral motor feeding, orofacial myofunctional and voice disorders.

We see younger patients often with tongue ties who have associated breathing, feeding and oral phase of swallowing difficulties who are infants and toddlers, as well as preschoolers also affecting their emerging speech, language and voice.  For this age group, these problems are addressed through passive stretches, feeding treatment and by oral motor activities using straws, horns and bubbles or other fun activities, and are preventative treatment to minimize the development of maladaptive behaviors later that might otherwise become a myofunctional disorder.

Orofacial myofunctional disorders are quite common and include tongue thrusts, tongue ties, prolonged thumb sucking habit elimination, disordered breathing, and compensatory swallowing issues in patients.  Patients need to be 4 or 5 years of age to be mature enough to be able to participate in this type of treatment. 

Certified Vocologists specialize in the rehabilitation and habilitation of professional speaking and singing voice. SLPs who are vocologists have the training and expertise to evaluate and treat medical conditions affecting the voice as well as helping speakers and singers return to their voice use safely and with improved function, as well as gender affirming voice care. There are many things to consider, including breath support, muscle tension, tongue tie and the onset of neurodegenerative disorders and aging, all affecting the voice in various ways.

For each evaluation, depending on the age and presenting concerns, oral structures and the functions of breathing, feeding and swallowing, speech production, language and voice are assessed.  Speech language pathologists are trained to look at these components separately as well as how they impact each other in an individual.