The Beckman Oral Motor Assessment and Intervention Program was developed by Debra Beckman, a practicing speech-language pathologist in 1975. The Beckman Oral Motor Protocol is an intervention that utilizes assisted movement and stretch reflexes to activate muscle contraction, build strength and improve range of motion in the lips, jaw, tongue and soft palate. It assesses the response to pressure, movement, range, and strength, and variety and control of movement. It is very beneficial for children that cannot follow verbal commands due to motor planning and/or a cognitive deficit. This approach can also be used with children as a highly effective tool for improving oral motor skills to support feeding and speech development.
Issues such as tooth grinding, drooling and hyper/hyposensitivity may also be addressed by the Beckman protocol. Techniques that are used are presented in a playful, gentle manner, so that all children feel respected. Emphasis is placed on providing parent training so that the techniques can be carried over into the home for maximum benefit. K.I.D.S. Therapy Associates, Inc. has both speech therapists and occupational therapists trained in this assessment and intervention approach.
