What Is Myofunctional Therapy? Does My Child Need It?

Written and reviewed by Nita Anavim, M.S., CCC-SLP. Last reviewed October 2, 2026.

Maybe your child’s dentist said something about tongue posture. Maybe you noticed on your own that your son’s mouth hangs open while he plays. Now you are wondering about myofunctional therapy. Myofunctional therapy trains the muscles of a child’s tongue, lips, cheeks and jaw to rest and move in a new way. The goal is a calm mouth at rest: lips closed, the tongue up against the roof of the mouth, and breathing through the nose. No diagnosis or referral is needed to ask about it.

What does this kind of therapy work on?

It works on how the mouth rests and moves between bites and words. That means where the tongue sits, whether the lips close, and how the tongue moves when a child swallows.

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) calls these patterns orofacial myofunctional disorders. That is a long name for a simple idea. The mouth muscles have fallen into a pattern that can affect how a child breathes, swallows or talks. There is rarely just one cause. ASHA lists things like a stuffy nose or large tonsils that make nose breathing hard, and sucking habits that last past age 3. None of it means you did something wrong.

What are the signs my child might need myofunctional therapy?

Signs to watch for include a mouth that stays open at rest, a tongue that rests low or pokes out between the teeth, and a lisp on “s” and “z.” Any one of these on its own can be normal. Look for a pattern you see most days.

Other clues include breathing through the mouth during the day and a tongue that pushes forward when your child swallows. You may hear this called tongue thrust. Drooling after about age 4 is a clue, too. So is a thumb, finger or pacifier habit past about age 3. ASHA reports that chronic mouth breathing rates in children vary from 10.1% to 15.9%. You are far from the only parent who has noticed it.

An open mouth is not always a problem in a young child. ASHA notes that lips resting apart is normal before the lips are fully grown. Most people can rest with their lips together by around age 12 to 13. If a lisp is what you hear most, read about whether a lisp is still normal at your child’s age. If a pacifier is part of the story, you may also wonder whether a pacifier can cause a speech delay.

Should we see a doctor or dentist first?

If breathing or sleep is part of the worry, yes. Snoring, noisy breathing at night, or a stuffy nose that never clears should go to your pediatrician first. They may send you to an ENT, an ear, nose and throat doctor, or to a sleep specialist. Questions about teeth or bite belong with your dentist or orthodontist.

This is not a detour. ASHA explains that a closed mouth at rest cannot be built reliably until any blockage in the airway is treated. A speech therapist does not diagnose medical problems. We never promise changes to sleep, snoring, teeth or the shape of the face. Those belong with your child’s doctors and dentist, and we work alongside them.

What does therapy look like?

It starts with an evaluation, not exercises. The therapist asks about breathing, sleep, eating, speech and habits. Then they watch how your child’s lips, tongue and jaw rest, move and swallow.

After that come short, playful sessions and brief practice at home each day. You are coached along the way. With younger children, much of the looking happens through play. You will not find exercises in this post, and here is why. The right ones depend on what the evaluation finds. Practicing the wrong pattern can build a new habit that takes longer to undo.

This therapy and speech therapy overlap, but they are not the same. Speech therapy works on sounds and language. Myofunctional therapy works on the muscles and resting posture underneath them. ASHA advises caution about using it alone for speech sound errors and says it may need to be paired with speech work. So a child with a lisp may need both. Here is which speech sounds are expected at each age.

Is my child old enough?

Formal exercise programs usually suit children who can follow directions and practice. That is often around ages 5 to 7 and up. Younger children can still be evaluated, and the plan fits what they are ready for.

ASHA puts it plainly. This therapy “may not be appropriate for children under the age of 4 years or who do not have the skills to self-monitor or follow directions.” To self-monitor means to notice what your own tongue and lips are doing. It is a skill that grows with age, not a test your child passes or fails. Every child gets there on their own timeline.

When should I reach out?

Reach out if the signs above show up most days. Reach out, too, if a dentist, orthodontist or doctor has mentioned tongue posture, or if your child is hard to understand for their age. A free 15-minute call can help you decide if an evaluation makes sense. We will tell you honestly if therapy is not the right next step.

Nita Anavim, M.S., CCC-SLP, one of our two founders, is a speech-language pathologist and a mom. You can read how myofunctional therapy works at Therapy Clubhouse. As of October 2026, we have no waiting list for in-home or telehealth therapy.

You noticed something small and took it seriously. That kind of quiet attention is one of the most helpful things a child can have.

Ready to take the next step? Call (805) 702-3427 or schedule a free 15-minute consultation with a licensed pediatric therapist.

Therapy Clubhouse provides in-home and telehealth services today; our Westlake Village clinic opens December 1, 2026.

This article is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice or a substitute for an individualized evaluation. Every child is different. If you have concerns about your child’s speech, language, or development, please consult a qualified professional.