Authors : Nour El-Bashiti and Jehad Ahmad Alaraifi
Abstract: The study aims to study the Speech Language Pathologist’s (SLPs) use of oral-motor exercises with patients who present with speech disorders. It also assesses the nature and type of exercises used. Furthermore, it compares the outcome with other studies that aimed to study the use of oral-motor exercises in the intervention of speech disorders. SLPs from different work settings (clinic, speech centers, university and private practice) were selected to answer the survey questions. Those SLPs were selected among professionals who have different academic degrees in speech pathology (B.S, M.A., or Ph.D. degree). Results showed that 74% of SLPs use oral-motor exercise which is a very high number. The choice of using oral-motor exercises was not affected by the level of education or the years of experience. As for the nature of exercises, tongue exercises were used by the majority of SLPs. It was concluded that many of the recent studies do not support the use of oral-motor exercises. However, more evidence-based research is needed in order to give a solid proof of the importance of the use of oral-motor exercises in the scope of the speech pathology practice. Clinical studies that track cases in detail are needed for that purpose.
Nour El-Bashiti and Jehad Ahmad Alaraifi, 2021. The Use of Oral-Motor Exercises Among SLPs in Jordan. Research Journal of Medical Sciences, 15: 1-5.