FAQ

1. What is the purpose of myofunctional therapy?

Myofunctional therapy focuses on correcting dysfunction of the tongue, throat and/or facial muscles in both at-rest position and in dynamic movement. This is especially helpful when dysfunction has been affecting other parts of the body involved in: breathing, speaking, sleeping, chewing, swallowing, and even ambulation. Establishing and training functional oral patterns has the potential to support long-term and multi-system recovery. Airway benefits may also result in improved oxygenation and immune system function in addition to lasting pain relief where discomfort or tension have been present. Myofunctional therapy is often recommended along with other treatment modalities and practices such as physical therapy and orthodontia.

2. What kinds of disorders can myofunctional therapy treat?
Therapy with Jane will address and affect:

Habitual open-mouth breathing
Oral-phase swallowing
Sleep-disordered breathing
Speech disorders
Abnormal tongue posture
Habitual tongue thrusting
Temporomandibular joint disorders

Any of these may also present in the context of connective tissue disorders, which although not treated directly, have the potential to be managed better with the above areas addressed and improved.
It’s also possible to not have a specific disorder but still benefit from myofunctional therapy tandem with physical therapy or orthodontic treatment to relieve general jaw pain or tightness.

3. Can myofunctional therpay or speech-language therapy be conducted online?

Yes! Jane is well-versed in implementing telepractice, and has many years of experience conducting in-person and online therapy with individuals and families and providing continuing education and consultation for other professionals. Jane will work with you to make the very most of your available in-home resources and will empower you to make the most of online access to services from the comfort of your home. She will also help you plan for carry-over to help you integrate all of what you learn in therapy.

4. Are services covered by my insurance?

Evaluations and Therapy are provided on a private pay, cash basis. Payment in full is collected at time of service or according to a financial arrangement agreed upon between Jane Butler M.S., CCC-SLP and her client in writing at the time services are initiated. Clients may pay by cheque or using credit card payment links provided. Invoices will include all necessary service codes and information so that families may submit for reimbursement from Health Savings Accounts or plans.

5. If I’m seeking myofunctional therapy or speech-language therapy for my child or myself, how long will it take to address these difficulties?

While outcomes vary from one client to another and always from one level of impairment to another, Jane will be working with you in a transparent way to ensure that you fully understand how the impairment you will be addressing fits into the larger context of communication development or a given client’s personal health journey. Jane will also help you establish realistic expectations about therapy progress and success and will work with you to design a check in/reassessment schedule. In this way, progress can be seen and measured and decisions about dismissal can be made collaboratively. Jane ensures that families and individuals know as much as they can about therapy approaches, so that they can see maximal carry over of new skills into outside environments.

6. Where will services be provided?

Jane collaborates with families, teachers and other medical providers and typically works in a multitude of educational and clinical settings and is happy to see you from home via telepractice. Jane is currently accepting new online and in-person clients.