The Wake-Up Call Every Parent with a Child in Speech Therapy Needs to Read
Your child tries. They practice. They follow instructions. Yet week after week, progress in speech therapy seems minimal. If you’re nodding your head right now, this may be the most important article you’ll read about your child’s speech development. As both the owner of Bayside Therapy Specialists and someone who endured 13 years of ineffective speech therapy, I’m here to share why “just keep practicing” might be the wrong advice – and what you need to know about oral-motor skills and speech development.
More Than a Practice – It’s My Mission
When your child steps into Bayside Therapy Specialists in Tampa, Clearwater, or New Port Richey, they’re not just meeting professionals doing a job. They’re meeting a team that shares my passion, because we understand what’s at stake. When your child feels frustrated, I can say with complete authenticity, “I know exactly how you feel.” I’ve sat in that therapy chair, felt that frustration, and experienced the shame of not being understood. Now, I use those experiences to help your child avoid the years of struggle I endured.
My Speech Therapy Experience
When I was in third grade, my school speech-language pathologist put a notecard in my pencil box that said “Loud” and “Slow” – a reminder to speak louder and slower. Imagine being nine years old, seeing this note every time you pull out a pencil, feeling embarrassed because you can’t just “remember” to speak louder. And how must it have looked to others who didn’t understand? This “well-intentioned” note made me feel labeled and misunderstood. I physically couldn’t speak louder, no matter how hard I tried. 
Throughout elementary school, I was pulled out of class 2-3 times a week, placed with special needs classes, and repeatedly told to “just place your tongue here” or “speak louder.” But my tongue and mouth just wouldn’t cooperate the way they wanted. I could only eat while standing up because it was the only way I could chew and swallow without discomfort, and my brother teased me constantly about my speech. One day in high school before going off to college, my father said something that still echoes in my mind: “You’re really smart, but I’m afraid you won’t be respected because of how you talk.” I know other parents can relate to this kind of worry.
As an adult, I deal with TMJ, sleep issues, and breathing difficulties – all challenges that might have been prevented with the right intervention. This is why I’m so passionate about helping children in Tampa, Clearwater, and New Port Richey. I don’t want any child to endure what I did.
The Research That Explains It All
A 2007 study from the University of Central Florida revealed that 65% of children referred for feeding issues also exhibited speech problems, while 73% of those with speech difficulties faced feeding challenges. This isn’t a coincidence – it’s a scientific insight into how our bodies work. Oral-motor deficits, such as submucosal clefts, tongue retraction, or cheek weakness, can affect both speech and feeding.
Red Flags That Your Child’s Speech Therapy Might Be Missing the Motor Component
Look for these signs:
- Multiple rounds of speech therapy with minimal progress
- Your child understands instructions but “just can’t get it right”
- Persistent frustration despite consistent practice
- Unusual postures or movements during speaking or eating
- Difficulty with certain food textures or messy eating
- A therapist who focuses solely on “listening and repeating”
- Compensatory behaviors (like my habit of standing while eating)
- Speaking softly or mumbling
- Avoiding certain sounds or words
Understanding the Research and Professional Debate
There’s a divide among speech-language pathologists about the role of oral motor therapy. Some firmly believe that purely auditory and cognitive approaches – like having children follow directions and repeat sounds – are sufficient. But my personal journey and clinical experience tell a different story. While research in our field is complex due to countless variables like age differences, varying diagnoses (which aren’t always accurate), genetic factors, previous therapy experiences, and complex medical histories, we can’t ignore what we see in practice. Evidence-based practice isn’t just about research studies – it’s a combination of current research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient perspectives and values. When I see a child struggling like I did, following all the directions but making minimal progress, I know we need to look deeper. Yes, not every speech challenge stems from motor difficulties, but shouldn’t we at least rule out oral motor issues before spending years in traditional therapy that might not address the root cause? Too many SLPs won’t take this step, but at Bayside Therapy Specialists, we believe in looking at the whole picture. Because sometimes, like in my case, the missing piece isn’t in the mind – it’s in the muscles.
This isn’t about pushing one method – it’s about finding what your child truly needs.
What Makes Our Approach Different
At Bayside Therapy Specialists, we look at the full picture:
- Comprehensive oral-motor evaluations
- Assessment of tongue ties and structural issues
- Feeding therapy for picky eaters
- Orofacial myofunctional therapy
- Early intervention programs
- Support for nonverbal children using AAC
Your Next Step
Don’t wait years like my parents did, watching your child struggle with methods that may not address the root cause. Whether you’re just starting your journey or have been in therapy for years, it’s never too late to explore the motor component of speech and feeding development.
Take Action Today
If you’re in the Tampa Bay area and see your child struggling despite their best efforts, reach out to us. We can help determine if oral-motor challenges are affecting your child’s speech or feeding development. Understanding the real cause of your child’s difficulties is the first step toward helping them thrive.
That notecard from my third grade years? It’s now a reminder of why I do what I do. Every child deserves to be understood, to eat comfortably, and to speak confidently – and to know that their struggles aren’t their fault. Let’s work together to write a different story for your child.
Contact us today to schedule a comprehensive evaluation at our offices in Tampa, Clearwater, or New Port Richey. Your child’s breakthrough might be just one assessment away.
Remember: This isn’t about giving up on traditional speech therapy – it’s about finding the missing piece that could make all the difference in your child’s progress. Don’t let your child spend years struggling like I did when help is available now.
Savery, D., Furr, T., & Beckman, D. (2007). Impact of Health Concerns on Speech From Birth to 5 Years. Poster presentation at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Conference. University of Central Florida, Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders in collaboration with Beckman and Associates, Inc.