How to Answer: What are your experiences using oral motor approach to improve speech clarity?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Speech Pathology job interview.
16. What are your experiences using oral motor approach to improve speech clarity?
How to Answer
As a Speech Pathologist you may use oral-motor therapy to develop awareness, strength, coordination and mobility of the oral muscles. Tell the interviewer that you use this therapy when working with patients that you are treating with feeding therapy. Tell the interviewer that it helps you determine why a child is having difficulty in a particular area and helps you create an oral-motor-feeding plan individualized for the child.
Written by Heather Douglass
Entry Level
"During my schooling, I was fortunate to be able to learn and work with strengthening exercises for all of the sounds in human speech. Whether it would be using horn blowing exercise to work on lip movement or using the Cheerio trick to work the tongue, these exercises can be effective when working with children on their speech clarity."
Written by Ryan Brunner
Answer Example
"A case in which I would use oral-motor therapy to help speech clarity is when saliva is collecting in the mouth and causing slushy-speech. However, it may not be a speech disorder. If I determine that the root cause of this is a swallowing disorder I will consult with a pediatrician to form a disciplinary team."
Written by Heather Douglass
Experienced
"In my recent position working on an inpatient rehab unit for adults, I have found oral motor therapy to be extremely beneficial for patients experiencing both swallowing and speech related issues due their condition. Many of my patients experience dysphagia have benefited from simple oral motor exercises and the benefits from the exercise aided in both swallowing and speech function. I am familiar with my oral motor therapy techniques that can be customized to each patient's situation."
Written by Ryan Brunner