Impact of swallowing patterns on orofacial motor speech production in children

Daniela Vieira; France Portier

doi:10.62741/ahrj.v3i2.164

Authors

Daniela Vieira Fernando Pessoa university
France Portier https://orcid.org/0009-0000-9959-1813

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62741/ahrj.v3i2.164

Keywords:

Deglutition, Deglutition Disorders, Speech, Speech Disorders, Child, Orofacial Muscles, Myofunctional Therapy

Abstract

Introduction: The relationship between swallowing patterns and orofacial motor speech production has been described in the literature; however, it remains insufficiently integrated into clinical practice and training in speech-language pathology.

Objective: To explore speech therapists’ perceptions of the association between atypical swallowing patterns and speech production in children, and to describe self-reported clinical knowledge and practices among Portuguese and French professionals.

Methods: A mixed-methods design was employed, combining a literature review with a cross-sectional online survey of 53 speech therapists (40 French, 13 Portuguese). The questionnaire assessed professional background, knowledge of swallowing–speech relationships, intervention practices, and training adequacy. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic content analysis.

Results: Most participants (92.3% Portuguese; 57.5% French) reported that atypical swallowing influences speech production, mainly through altered lingual positioning affecting alveolar (/t/, /d/, /n/) and fricative (/s/, /z/, /ʃ/, /ʒ/) sounds. French clinicians predominantly worked in private practice, while Portuguese clinicians were mainly in institutional settings. University training was widely considered insufficient, leading to high demand for continuing education. Multidisciplinary collaboration, particularly with orthodontists, was limited but recognized as important.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that speech therapists perceive atypical swallowing as potentially associated with pediatric speech production difficulties, particularly through altered lingual positioning and articulation patterns. As an exploratory survey based on self-reported practices, this study highlights perceived training gaps and the need for further research on interdisciplinary assessment and intervention in the swallowing–speech relationship .

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