Orange County’s Concierge SLP for Pediatric Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy
What is orofacial myofunctional therapy?
Orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs) are patterns of improper muscle use in the face, mouth, and throat that affect breathing, swallowing, and oral rest posture.
Orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) is a specialized intervention that targets the habitual patterns that define OMDs, such as improper oral rest posture, tongue thrust, or mouth breathing.
Parents, caregivers, or healthcare providers often first notice the resulting symptoms or signs, which can include:
Sleep-disordered breathing
Difficulty focusing and/or hyperactivity from poor sleep
Crowded teeth
Recurring orthodontic relapse
Speech difficulties
Chewing impairments
Chronic jaw pain
Cavities
Bad breath
By retraining these habitual patterns, OMT promotes proper facial development, better airway function, improved sleep, and long-term oral health—often creating positive changes that extend far beyond the therapy itself.
Our Services
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Comprehensive assessment of your child’s oral motor function (as it pertains to oral rest posture, speech, and swallowing) & development of individualized home exercise program.
(60 min)
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Focuses on parent coaching through teach back and answering additional questions. Can also be utilized for reassessment after a palatal expansion by a dentist.
(30 min or 60 min option)
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Focuses on parent coaching through teach back and answering additional questions.
(30 min)
Katarina Liu M.S. CCC-SLP
My name is Katarina and I’m a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist. I’m here to support you and your little one to thrive!
I earned my undergraduate degree from the University of California, Irvine and my graduate degree from Loma Linda University. Through my near 10 years of experience in acute care and outpatient, I gained specialties in tracheostomy/ventilator dependence, voice disorders, and dysphagia (swallowing difficulties)- frequently conducting videofluoroscopic swallow studies (VFSS) and fiberoptic endoscopic evaluations of swallowing (FEES) to gather comprehensive information, identify underlying physiological causes of swallowing disorders, and subsequently develop effective home exercise programs.
While on a personal search for my own children and myself, I discovered the transformative potential of orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT). This inspired me to pursue advanced training so I could bring these techniques into my practice and offer them to families facing similar challenges. Since then, I have provided specialized assessment and treatment to children undergoing palatal expansion and adults with orofacial myofunctional disorders, collaborating with dental and medical professionals to improve speech, swallowing, and overall oral function. I look forward to partnering with you and your family on this journey, empowering you to thrive through healthier, more confident speech, swallowing, and oral function.
FAQs
What makes you different?
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Our Practice Philosophy
Our practice reflects the most effective approaches I’ve witnessed across inpatient and outpatient settings. I blend evidence-based methods with a strong family-centered philosophy.
A Different Approach to Therapy
Rather than relying on frequent, traditional weekly sessions, I emphasize:
Comprehensive parent coaching
Practical home strategies
Flexible follow-up support tailored to each family’s needs
Why This Model Works
This model is intentionally unconventional: it empowers parents with the knowledge and tools to drive lasting progress at home, making therapy more accessible for busy schedules or limited budgets.
My Goal for Families
My goal is to reach more families who might otherwise go without support, helping children and adults achieve meaningful, sustainable results in their daily lives.
Why is it beneficial to have OMT completed by an SLP?
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Holistic Expertise
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are licensed to treat speech, swallowing, and oral-pharyngeal functions—issues often overlapping with orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs). They address OMD patterns and impacts on communication, feeding, and swallowing in one unified plan, evaluating clarity, voice, resonance, and safety—beyond just posture or bite.
Essential for Complex Cases
This approach prevents serious risks in high-stakes situations (e.g., aspiration, delays, neurologic issues).
Guided Scope and Advantage
Professional standards define SLPs' role in establishing proper posture, seals, placement, and safe swallowing. Their blend of functional and medical-risk expertise makes them ideal primary OMT providers, collaborating with dental and therapy specialists.
What ages do you treat?
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We presently provide orofacial myofunctional therapy to children ages 4-13. Successful participation in therapy requires developmental readiness beyond chronological age, including:
Cognitive ability to understand and follow multi-step directions
Motivation and compliance to practice exercises consistently
Family support and parental involvement in reinforcing therapy techniques
Attention span sufficient to participate in 30-minute therapy sessions
Ability to self-monitor oral posture and habits
For children ages 0-4, we provide referrals to specialized early intervention and assessment services designed to meet their unique developmental needs, including play-based therapy options.
Do you take insurance?
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We are a out-of-network provider, so insurance in not accepted at this time. Superbills are available upon request, but not guaranteed for reimbursement. Contact us for more information.
Book a Discovery Call
Fill out this short form to inquire about our services or schedule a complimentary 15 minute phone call. I look forward to connecting and collaborating with you!
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Recommended Resources
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Dr. Tracy Tran
Dr. Tran is a Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist who specializes in infant & pediatric oral ties, as well as pediatric sleep issues.
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Jamie Keller
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Whitney Sippl
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