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Practicing a Rhythmic Chewing Pattern

Posted by Debra C. Lowsky, MS, CCC-SLP on 11th May 2015

Rhythmic chewing is one component of a mature chewing pattern.  There's a tempo to the way we chew - it's not sporadic;  we don't chew fast then slow then fast again.  We chew to a silent yet steady beat in order to properly break down food. . .  In the video below, however, this young man has a very sporadic chewing pattern.  In …
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How to Develop a Rotary Chewing Pattern

Posted by Debra C. Lowsky, MS, CCC-SLP on 3rd Jun 2014

I recently completed a Clinical Swallow Evaluation and today a Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study of a 10 yr old boy's swallow (both revealed a safe swallow that is within normal limits) and observed that his is not an age-appropriate chew pattern.  He engages in a Nonstereotypic Vertical Movement during mastication.  As a result, oral prep phase is significantly extended and his mother …
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Teaching the Concept of Biting and Chewing

Posted by Debra C. Lowsky, MS, CCC-SLP on 22nd Feb 2012

For infants, learning how to bite and chew is a crucial stage of feeding development.  At approximately 5-6 months of age, babies begin using their fingers and mouths for oral exploration using a bite and release pattern.  The development of biting and chewing continues from this point on, with the baby refining the movements of the jaw, tongue, and lips.  When infants miss a par …
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