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Oral Mechanism Exam

Evaluating the structure and function of the speech mechanism

Is the system adequate for regular speech sound production?

Examining the Head and Facial Structures

  • size and shape of the head

  • symmetry and proportion of facial features

  • muscular tone

  • appearance and proportion of nostrils

Examining Breathing

  • breathing patterns at rest and during speech

  • no noticeable clavicular breathing

  • time between inspiration and expiration during rest and speech

Examining the Oral and Pharyngeal Cavity Structures

  • The teeth

    • occlusion​

      • Class I: normal. lower molars are one-half tooth ahead of upper​

      • Class II: "overbite"

      • Class III: "underbite"

      • Open bite

      • Cross bite

    • axial orientation of teeth: individual positioning of teeth

  • The tongue

    • size​

      • macroglossia: overfills the oral cavity​

      • microglossia: too small for oral cavity

    • color

    • muscle tone

    • symmetry

    • muscular twitching or movements

  • The hard and soft palates

    • hard palates color​

    • size and shape of palatal vault

    • presence or absence of clefts, fissures, and fistulas

    • midline: pink and white color

      • blue tint could mean submucous cleft​

    • underlying bony structure intact

    • uvula length and structural abnormalities

    • facues and pharyngeal area

Functionally Assessing the Speech Mechanisms

  • As the client performs tasks:

    • can the client adequately perform the task?​

    • adequate range of movement?

    • integrated and smooth movements?

    • speed of movement within normal limits for the age?

  • Diodochokinetic rates: tests the speed of movement of the articulators

    • maximum repetition rate of [p], [t,] [k] individually and in various combinations​

Bauman-Wängler, J. A. (2020). Articulation and phonology in speech sound disorders: a clinical focus (6th ed.). Hoboken: Pearson Education.

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