The Intersection of Speech Therapy and Neuromotor Development: A Holistic Approach
For parents of children with speech delays, the journey to communication can feel overwhelming. Traditional speech therapy focuses on verbal language, articulation, and expressive and receptive language skills. But what if we told you that speech development is not just about the mouth and voice—but also about the body, movement, and brain development?
At Infinity Motor Development Center, we take a holistic approach to speech therapy, integrating neuromotor development alongside traditional speech and language interventions. This combined approach helps children develop the foundational systems needed for speech while also enhancing their communication skills in a meaningful way.
In this blog, we’ll explore how neuromotor development impacts speech, why some children struggle with verbal communication, and how a combined approach to therapy can unlock a child’s full potential.
Understanding the Connection Between Neuromotor Development and Speech
When we think of speaking, we often focus on the mouth, tongue, and vocal cords. But speech is much more than just making sounds—it’s a complex process that requires coordination between the brain, muscles, and nervous system.
Before a child can verbally communicate, their body must develop key motor functions that lay the groundwork for speech. Some of these foundational systems include:
Primitive Reflex Integration: Early reflexes, such as the rooting reflex or ATNR (Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex), play a critical role in neurological development. If these reflexes are not properly integrated, they can interfere with speech motor planning.
Postural Stability: A strong core and the ability to control body movements directly impact a child’s ability to produce speech sounds.
Oral Motor Function: Proper control of the jaw, lips, and tongue is required for clear articulation. Weakness or poor coordination in these muscles can make speech difficult.
Eye Tracking and Joint Attention: Visual engagement and the ability to follow a speaker’s face are critical for early language learning. Children with delayed visual-motor coordination may struggle with social communication.
In short: if a child’s neuromotor systems are not fully developed, their ability to communicate may also be affected.
Why Some Children Struggle with Speech Development
Some children develop speech naturally, while others experience delays. In cases of autism, speech apraxia, or developmental delays, the underlying issue may not be in the speech centers of the brain but in neuromotor function and connectivity.
Research has shown that in children with autism, eye-tracking studies reveal differences in visual attention—they may focus on a speaker’s forehead or shoulders rather than their mouth or eyes, missing key social and verbal communication cues.
Similarly, studies of children with developmental delays indicate that their brain connectivity may be weaker in speech-related regions. If the neurons responsible for verbal expression have not migrated properly to the correct areas of the brain, speech may be delayed or absent.
The good news? By addressing these neuromotor challenges alongside speech therapy, we can improve communication skills more effectively.
A Holistic Approach: Combining Speech Therapy with Neuromotor Development
At Infinity Motor Development Center, we take a multi-disciplinary approach to helping children communicate. Instead of treating speech as an isolated skill, we integrate speech therapy with neuromotor exercises, primitive reflex integration, and sensory processing techniques to support the entire body and brain.
Here’s how our holistic therapy model works:
1. Assessing Neuromotor Function
Before diving into speech therapy, we evaluate core movement patterns, primitive reflexes, and postural stability. If a child has unintegrated reflexes or struggles with coordination, we address these areas to create a solid foundation for speech development.
2. Using Movement to Improve Speech
Many children who struggle with verbal speech benefit from movement-based activities that activate the right and left hemispheres of the brain. Exercises such as:
Core-strengthening activities to improve postural stability
Vestibular stimulation (rocking, spinning) to improve balance and sensory processing
Oral motor exercises to strengthen jaw, tongue, and lip coordination
3. Modeling and Encouraging Communication
We incorporate speech therapy techniques alongside neuromotor exercises to encourage language development. This includes:
Modeling language: Parents and therapists demonstrate verbal and non-verbal communication strategies.
Using AAC devices when necessary: Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices provide a bridge to verbal speech.
Joint Attention: Encourage your child looking at you when you speak, following your gaze, or engaging with the same object or activity as you. This includes looking at faces, especially the mouth, to understand speech patterns.
4. Strengthening Brain Pathways for Speech
By combining neuromotor exercises with targeted speech interventions, we can help activate neural pathways that support speech production. This process may take time, but it creates long-term, sustainable improvements in communication.
Helping Your Child Find Their Voice
Every child deserves the opportunity to communicate. For some, this journey involves more than just traditional speech therapy—it requires a whole-body approach. By addressing neuromotor development alongside speech therapy, we can help children unlock their full communication potential.
If your child is struggling with speech development, our team at Infinity is here to help. We combine speech therapy, neuromotor rehabilitation, and functional development strategies to give children the tools they need to succeed.
📍 Want to learn more? Visit minnesotainfinity.com to schedule a consultation and see how we can help your child find their voice.