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Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy with Hallie Bulkin
Hallie Bulkin MA, CCC-SLP, CMT™, QOM, COM® is a Business Coach, Podcaster, Feeding Specialist, Certified Myofunctional Therapist™, Certified Orofacial Myologist and Speech-Language Pathologist. Hallie is the founder and director of Little Sprout Therapy & Metro Myo, a pediatric practice providing virtual, in-home, and in-school: feeding therapy, orofacial myofunctional therapy, speech-language therapy and occupational therapy across DC, MD, VA, NJ, NY & FL. She is the founder of the Untethered Podcast where the goal is to bring information on Myo, TOTs, Airway and Pediatric Feeding to the masses.
She is also the founder of Feed The Peds®: A comprehensive 12-week course on the foundations of pediatric feeding and swallowing; The Myo Method™: An Intro To Myofunctional Therapy Course & CMT™ – Certified Myofunctional Therapist™ Certification; and, The Myo Membership™: A monthly CEU opportunity where members learn from experts in the field, receive research reviews, marketing materials, participate in a virtual myo study club and so much more! Hallie coaches other business owners when not running her own businesses or hanging with her family.
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Links
The Untethered Podcast untetheredpodcast.com
Free Ped Feeding Screener: http://pedfeedingscreening.com/
Free FAST Myo Screener Fastmyoscreening.com
Hallie’s Instagram @halliebulkin
Hallie’s Website HallieBulkin.com
All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy With Hallie Bulkin, MA, CCC-SLP, CMT™, QOM, COM®
Parents and therapists often face significant challenges when addressing children's feeding difficulties, sleep disruptions, and developmental concerns. Hallie Bolkin—a speech-language pathologist, feeding specialist, and certified myofunctional therapist—brings her wealth of experience, personal insights, and actionable strategies to help families and professionals confidently tackle these complex oral and sensory issues.
What Is Myofunctional Therapy?
Myofunctional therapy targets the muscles of the face, mouth, and jaw to improve oral function and systemic health. It strengthens the muscles responsible for chewing, swallowing, breathing, and even sleeping.
For children, therapy often focuses on:
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Ensuring the tongue rests correctly on the roof of the mouth.
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Encouraging proper nasal breathing.
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Addressing underlying causes of feeding, speech, or sleep difficulties.
Hallie emphasizes the key to early intervention. Identifying issues like tongue ties or improper oral resting postures early can prevent long-term complications like orthodontic problems or airway obstruction.
Why Early Intervention Matters
Hallie’s journey into pediatric feeding and myofunctional therapy began with her children. Her firsthand experience highlights the importance of early recognition of oral dysfunction.
By addressing tongue ties and airway issues, Hallie was able to significantly enhance her daughters’ feeding abilities, sleep quality, and overall development. Parents should remain vigilant for signs such as:
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Difficulty latching during breastfeeding.
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Open-mouth breathing, snoring, or restless sleep.
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Speech difficulties or delayed milestones in feeding.
These signs may indicate underlying oral or airway concerns that benefit from professional evaluation.
Finding The Right Professional Support
Finding the right team to assess and address your child’s needs can feel overwhelming. Hallie suggests looking for:
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Pediatric feeding therapists trained in tethered oral tissues.
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Airway-focused dentists or ENTs for tongue tie assessments and treatment.
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Providers experienced in collaborative care for bodywork and therapy.
Not all professionals are equally trained in these areas, so don’t hesitate to ask about their experience and training.
The Role Of Parents In Therapy
Hallie reassures parents: “You haven’t failed your child if these issues weren’t caught earlier.” Parenting a child with sensory or oral challenges is a journey; informed decision-making is your superpower.
Practical tips for parents:
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Observe Sleep Patterns: Open-mouth breathing or snoring is a red flag.
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Support Functional Feeding: Watch for tongue thrust or difficulty chewing.
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Build A Team: Seek practitioners who collaborate for a holistic approach.
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Trust The Process: Therapy takes time and involves ongoing adjustments.
Addressing Sensory Challenges
Hallie also shed light on the connection between sensory development and oral challenges. She explained how difficulties with oral function often overlap with sensory preferences, such as a child's inclination toward certain food textures or temperatures.
Recognizing and respecting these sensory preferences is essential for fostering progress and building a positive relationship with feeding and therapy. Parents and therapists can create more effective and enjoyable interventions by tailoring strategies to a child’s unique sensory needs.
Final Thoughts
Whether you're a parent seeking answers or a therapist looking to expand your skills, Hallie's message is clear: informed, proactive care changes lives. Start with small steps like observing sleep and feeding patterns, and build a support system with trusted professionals.
BORING, BUT NECESSARY LEGAL DISCLAIMERS
While we make every effort to share correct information, we are still learning. We will double check all of our facts but realize that medicine is a constantly changing science and art. One doctor / therapist may have a different way of doing things from another. We are simply presenting our views and opinions on how to address common sensory challenges, health related difficulties and what we have found to be beneficial that will be as evidenced based as possible. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or your children. Consult your child’s pediatrician/ therapist for any medical issues that he or she may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Rachel Harrington, Harkla, Jessica Hill, or any guests or contributors to the podcast, as well as any employees, associates, or affiliates of Harkla, be responsible for damages arising from use of the podcast.
Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you.
This podcast should not be used in any legal capacity whatsoever, including but not limited to establishing “standard of care” in a legal sense or as a basis for expert witness testimony. No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of any statements or opinions made on the podcast.
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