EDUCATING PROFESSIONALS OF VARYING BACKGROUNDS
The orofacial complex is here to help educate professionals of varying backgrounds by providing: workshops and seminars, product information, publications, and associated issues related to the evolution of dysfunction of the orofacial complex. This coursework and associated materials have been designed to help the professional understand the philosophy behind myofunctional disorders and facilitate a better understanding of appropriate starting points for intervention based on a systematic hierarchy. Information has been designed for professionals the ability to achieve a higher standard of care by giving them one more tool for their therapeutic toolbox.
GOAL OF THE COURSE
This course will provide the participant a comprehensive understanding of the foundations in orofacial myology. Parameters will include developmental anatomy/physiology, dental, speech, medical etiologies, diagnostics, treatment planning, habit elimination, ethical scope of practice considerations and the didactic interaction of the orofacial complex from birth.
2023 DATES & LOCATIONS
PLEASE NOTE: Pre-recorded materials are REQUIRED to attend the in-person/live portion.
February 16-18, 2023 LIVE online
THIS COURSE IS CLOSED
March 23-25, 2023 CHICAGO, IL
Ridge Country Club, 10522 S California Ave
CHICAGO, IL 60655
Pre-recorded release March 2, 2023
May 18-20, 2023 LIVE online
Pre-recorded release April 27, 2023
August 10-12, 2023 Las Vegas, NV
7425 W. Azure Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89130
Pre-recorded release July 20, 2023
September 28-30, 2023 LIVE online
Pre-recorded release September 7, 2023
November 2-4, 2023 LIVE online
Pre-recorded release October 12, 2023
PUBLICATIONS
UNDERSTANDING THE OROFACIAL COMPLEX: MUSCLE MANUAL
UNDERSTANDING THE OROFACIAL COMPLEX: THE EVOLUTION OF DYSFUNCTION
Sam, The Super Chewer Eats
Don't miss this opportunity!
This program is offered for up to 3.6 ASHA CEUs (Intermediate level, Professional area)
Intermediate level
Up to 3.6 ASHA CEUs
ASHA CE Provider approval and use of the Brand Block does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products or clinical procedures.
KRISTIE GATTO MA, CCC-SLP, COM®
Kristie Gatto, MA, CCC-SLP, COM® received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Houston in Houston, Texas. She has worked as a speech-language pathologist in the public and private settings. Ms. Gatto became the first certified orofacial myologist in the city of Houston in 2011. She is currently the owner of The Speech and Language Connection, which has two offices in the greater Houston area and multiple speech-language pathologists with various specialties.
Financial: Kristie Gatto is the author of three books Understanding the Orofacial Complex: The Evolution of Dysfunction (Outskirts Press, 2016), Understanding the Orofacial Complex – Muscle Manual (Outskirts Press, 2014), and Sam the Super Chewer, Eats (Mindstir Media, 2016) for which she receives royalty payments. She is the owner and a treating clinician with The Speech and Language Connection in Houston, as well as an instructor for the International Association of Orofacial Myology for which she is paid.
Non-financial: Kristie Gatto is a Past President of the International Association of Orofacial Myology, a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and a current Board of Directors member of the Oral Motor Institute. Additionally, she has served as a Board of Directors member for the American Academy of Private Practitioners in Speech Pathology and Audiology and a member of the Community Advisory Board at the University of Houston.
Amanda Moore Chastain MA, CCC-SLP, COM®
Amanda Chastain is an ASHA (American Speech-Language Hearing Association) certified and Kentucky licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with specific focus in the areas of Orofacial Myology and Pediatric Feeding. She is a Certified Orofacial Myologist (COM®) through The International Association of Orofacial Myology. As the owner and director of The Speech Network Pediatric Feeding and Orofacial Myology Clinic in Lexington KY, she dedicates her focus of practice to infants and toddlers with feeding difficulties as well as teens and adults with orofacial myofunctional deficits. Amanda is a Past President of the International Association of Orofacial Myology (IAOM), an approved IAOM instructor and provides trainings for infant and toddler feeding through her GoMAP (Guided Oral Movements with Active Patterning) Program.
Financial: Amanda Chastain is also the owner and a treating clinician with The Speech Network in Lexington, KY, as well as an instructor for the International Association of Orofacial Myology for which she is paid.
Non-financial: Amanda Chastain is the immediate Past President of the International Association of Orofacial Myology, a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and actively involved in her community providing speaking engagements for moms and families of patients with oromyofunctional dysfunction and feeding difficulties
Angie Lehman RDH, COM®
Angie earned her Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene from Pennsylvania College of Technology in 1999. She began practicing Orofacial Myology in 2012 and received her Certification from the International Association of Orofacial Myology (IAOM) in 2014. Angie is the owner of Oral Myofunctional Therapy of York (OMT of York).
Financial: Angie Lehman is also the owner and a treating clinician with Oral Myofunctional Therapy of York in York, Pennsylvania, as well as an instructor for which she is paid.
Non-financial: Angie Lehman has served on the Board of Directors member for the International Association of Orofacial Myology, a member of the Pennsylvania Dental Hygiene Association (PDHA) and actively involved in her community providing speaking engagements for families of patients with oromyofunctional dysfunction.
Course objectives:
Understand basic dental terminology commonly used in Orofacial Myology
Recognize changes in craniofacial growth due to OMDs
Identify common dental classification systems for facial growth and malocclusions
Kristie is an amazing teacher who takes her time to present the information in a very concise but simple way to understand. She is open to questions and really is attune to the student’s needs and levels of learning.
Thank you SO much for an amazing course!!! I learned so much and have so much more learning to do with those amazing packets of materials you sent. I have many current clients to apply the program to and am excited to get started.
Thank you for giving me the resources to continue my journey!
Sincerely, you and Amanda did an INCREDIBLE job. I honestly enjoyed the course and looked forward to it every day. The remote presentation exceeded my expectations. I’ve already recommended it to friends and colleagues. This course was worth every penny. I could see myself taking it again in the future.
I just wanted to take a minute to say thank you! It was great being able to learn and interact with you both over the past 4 days. I really appreciate all that y’all do to educate us and for being friendly and approachable so that we weren’t afraid to ask questions. This course went beyond my expectations and I am looking forward to getting out into the field and practicing and learning more. I hope that I get to meet you both in person one day!
Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us this week. I thoroughly enjoyed the course and can’t wait to dive into the material and apply it to future clients.
This is the best course I have taken in all my years of practice!!! I cannot wait to begin implementing this with my patients.
I can’t thank you enough for all of the invaluable information you presented over the past 4 days.
Now it time for me to start studying and processing all of the information. I am excited to begin this new chapter in my SLP career.
Number of participants is limited!
We look forward to meeting you at an upcoming course
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
The participant will be able to identify:
-
The science of Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders and the evolution from early treatment practice.
-
The parameters of the IAOM Scope of Practice and the IAOM Code of Ethics in daily practice
-
Define the basic terms in Orofacial myofunctional disorders, oromotor dysfunction, temporal mandibular disorders, and parafunctional habits.
-
Understand the development from embryology of the oropharyngeal complex.
-
Understand the basic anatomy of orofacial complex as it relates to the hard and soft tissues and the cranial nerves
-
Understand the muscular complex that most closely is associated with the orofacial myofunctional disorders
-
Understand the importance of the airway, respiration, and patency of the oropharyngeal complex and classification systems for oropharyngeal isthmus (mallampati) and tonsillar classifications
-
Identify classifications of occlusion
-
Discuss feeding development and disruptions
-
Discuss common orthodontic appliances, both functional and retaining
-
Understand the basic phases of the normal swallowing process
-
Discuss the parameters for typical mastication, deglutition, bolus formation, bolus transit, as it relates to solid/liquid/saliva consumption
-
Identification of structural anomalies, including TOTs, clefting, and facial deformities.
-
Identify the variances in swallowing patterns and resting postures
-
Identify the development of feeding patterns, and associated speech patterns
-
Demonstrate a comprehensive clinical examination for a patient with an OMD that includes structures, functioning of the structures and in swallowing.
-
Discuss hierarchy of the development of orofacial movements appropriately and incorporate this hierarchy into a treatment plan
-
Discuss the need for referrals, when, who and where
-
Discuss the impact of non-nutritive sucking habits on the orofacial complex
-
Integrate principles and techniques of habit elimination in treatment planning.
-
Discuss the underlying principles of behavioral modification and reinforcers
-
Demonstrate a skill base with therapeutic exercises for treatment of orofacial myofunctional disorders
-
Discuss the importance of habituation and integration into everyday life
-
Discuss variances to the “typical” treatment plan for special populations
-
Integrate a system of universal precautions and aseptic techniques
-
Apply documentation and case management effectively
-
Determine appropriate systems for business application and management that includes record keeping, HIPPA compliance, marketing, and financial aspects.
Professional Affiliations




