Evaluate function
Shelley looks at movement and everyday function—not the appearance of one structure in isolation.
Orofacial myofunctional therapy • Santa Barbara
Myofunctional Therapy and Tongue-Tie Support
Individualized evaluation and therapy for oral resting posture, tongue movement, breathing, chewing, swallowing and related speech or oral-function concerns.
What parents may notice
Questions Often Begin at Home
You may recognize one concern or several. These signs do not diagnose a condition, but they can be useful starting points for a conversation.
My child often rests with their mouth open or seems to breathe through the mouth.
I notice the tongue resting forward or pushing against the teeth.
My child has unusual chewing or swallowing patterns.
A dentist, orthodontist, ENT or pediatrician suggested an oral-function evaluation.
I have questions about a possible tongue tie and do not know what the next step should be.
Understanding the service
Looking at How the Mouth Works at Rest and in Motion
Orofacial myofunctional therapy considers the patterns of the lips, tongue, jaw and related muscles during rest, breathing, chewing, swallowing and speech.
A visible or suspected tongue tie does not automatically mean a child needs a procedure. Recommendations depend on symptoms, function, age, goals and a thorough evaluation by the appropriate qualified professionals.
Shelley’s role is to evaluate communication and oral-function patterns within her professional scope, provide appropriate therapy recommendations and collaborate with dental or medical providers when needed.
Shelley’s approach
Individualized, Engaging and Clinically Thoughtful
Set responsible goals
Recommendations are based on your child’s individual findings and may include therapy, monitoring or collaboration with other providers.
Practice purposefully
Age-appropriate activities help build awareness, coordination and consistent patterns over time.
What support may look like
Careful Evaluation, Coordinated Support
Recommendations and activities depend on your child’s individual evaluation, readiness and family priorities.
- Observation of oral resting posture and tongue movement
- Discussion of nasal versus mouth-breathing patterns
- Age-appropriate exploration of chewing and swallowing
- Consideration of how oral patterns may relate to speech
- Collaboration recommendations when dental or medical input is appropriate
Parents are part of the plan
Practical Support Beyond the Session
Myofunctional activities often depend on consistent, short practice. Shelley demonstrates each strategy, explains its purpose and helps families find a realistic rhythm without blame or pressure.
A family’s experience
In Their Own Words
Every child’s journey is individual. This family shares what their experience with Shelley looked like.
Read more success storiesDr. Shelley was recommended to us by a friend. I was looking for help with my son’s “r” pronunciation. I had tried another speech pathologist, but saw no improvement. My experience with Dr Shelley has been tremendous! Where the other person just had my son try pronunciations over and over, Dr. Shelley actually showed him the tongue muscles, how to use them, and the right placement to produce the correct sound using fun, kid-friendly strategies. We saw improvement even after one session. Using unique techniques that she developed, my son was able to produce accurate “r” sounds in every word position in a matter of a handful of sessions. She knows what she’s doing! She not only has the expertise in speech pathology, but she is also skilled in making sessions fun, engaging, and confidence-building for her clients. We came to help my son’s speech, but Dr. Shelley is also a myofunctional therapist and saw that my son’s resting tongue position was pushing his top front teeth forward into an extreme overbite. I thought his teeth were just like that, but she showed us that his tongue placement was contributing. We started working on myotherapy and retraining his mouth muscles and have seen a huge difference. My son’s mouth would mostly be open at rest, but his tongue now rests in the correct position at the roof of his mouth and he has a natural closed mouth at rest. Even though he will still need braces, we’ve seen his overbite decrease simply because the tongue is no longer pushing against the back of his teeth. If we hadn’t corrected the tongue placement, his teeth would be continually pushed forward by his tongue, which would reverse any orthodontic work done. I would have never known that had it not been for Dr. Shelley. Dentists don’t mention this because myotherapy is not their field. I can’t recommend Dr. Shelley enough. She is so knowledgeable, kind and gentle, cares about her clients, works really well with kids, works hard to help clients reach their goals, and has techniques you won’t see with other speech therapists.Read full storyShow less
Frequently asked questions
Helpful Answers Before You Begin
Still unsure? A free consultation gives you space to explain what you are noticing and ask questions specific to your child.
Explore myofunctional FAQsDoes every tongue tie require surgery?
No. Structure alone does not determine treatment. Decisions should consider function, symptoms, the child’s needs and input from appropriately qualified professionals.
Does Shelley diagnose or release tongue ties?
Website information cannot diagnose a tongue tie, and Shelley does not perform surgical procedures. Her role and any pre- or post-procedure support should be confirmed during consultation.
Will myofunctional therapy fix breathing or sleep concerns?
No single result can be guaranteed. Breathing and sleep concerns can have multiple causes and may require assessment by a pediatrician, ENT or other qualified medical provider.
Will Shelley collaborate with another provider?
When appropriate and with parent permission, collaboration may include dentists, orthodontists, ENTs, pediatricians or other members of a child’s care team.
A reassuring first step
Let’s Find the Right Next Step for Your Child
You don’t need to have all the answers before reaching out. Share what you’re noticing, ask your questions and learn what support may be right for your child.
Book a Free 15-Minute Consultation