6 Things Every Parent Should Understand About Craniofacial Development

One of the most frustrating and disheartening areas of my job is working with children.  I absolutely love seeing and helping them with their myofunctional problems, but the source of frustration (and sometimes downright anger) is two-fold.  The first problem is the parents.  The second problem is the doctors who advise the parents.

First the parents.  Don’t get me wrong, there are a lot of parents who reach out to me about their child.  They realize that there is a craniofacial development concern and they want to help correct the problem.  I’m not talking about those parents.  I’m talking about the parents who won’t choose to help their child.  Those who think that “Timmy’s speech impediment is just part of his uniqueness.”  Those parents who simply say “I can’t afford it, so I won’t even try.”  Those parents who take the ill advice of their advising doctor who clearly doesn’t understand.

And then the doctors.  For the love of all things holy….it’s 2020.  Get up to speed!  Some providers are 100 years old and appear to be extremely close-minded and reluctant to learn anything that is cutting edge or “not their idea”.  These providers are a detriment to the people they serve.  When I can attend an AAPMD (American Academy of Physiological Medicine & Dentistry) conference where dental professionals and medical doctors have come together to collaborate on concerns regarding optimal airway growth, craniofacial development and function…you KNOW there is a problem.  They are seeking a solution.  So in my eyes, when there is an organization that is trying to help bring these “behind-the-pace” providers up to speed, don’t you think your provider should be getting on that train?  Ignorance or ego, or stubbornness, or laziness is not an excuse.  Truthfully, I should not be the first person that parents are hearing this stuff from.  I should be the one supporting what their doctor says, but I’m often the first one saying it. 

In my new video, 6 Things That Every Parent Should Understand About Craniofacial Development, I spend almost an hour talking about the most important 6 things that I think parents should understand.  This video was part of a parent education lecture that I did, and it contains massive value for parents.  

A quick recap of the 6 Things That Every Parent Should Understand About Craniofacial Development.

#1.  Your child needs air.  Snoring is not normal or cute.  Nasty swollen tonsils are a sign that there is a concern.  Your developing child needs adequate air!

#2.  Tongue-ties matter.  The tongue can’t have correct oral resting posture if it’s anchored to the floor of the mouth.

#3.  Your child needs correct oral rest posture.  Tongue up.  Mouth closed.  Lips sealed. Each of these affect the craniofacial development of your child and what their facial appearance will look like.

#4.  Encourage your child to chew.  I mean real, unadulterated, unprocessed food.

#5.  Your child needs nasal breathing.  Mouth breathing causes a host of problems, including alterations to craniofacial development, anxiety, digestion, and more.

#6.  Schedule an early ortho visit.  The keyword here is early.  A 7-year-old child may be considered a geriatric patient.

What Should You Do First?

#1.  Commit to staying the course for your child.  Understand that there will be some money involved.  As a parent, that’s part of the responsibility right?

#2.  Find your myo person.  Getting an experienced myofunctional therapist to help educate you, and go to battle for your child is paramount.  This person is going to help you understand each and every craniofacial growth concern, identify all myofunctional impairment present, and help you assemble your child’s comprehensive health team.  Yes, it takes a village.  This person is also going to help you separate the facts from the crazy opinions that are out there.  Don’t take the word of your doctor or the crazy lady in the Facebook group as gospel.  Odds are, they have no idea what they are talking about.

#3.  Understand that it is a process.  It may involve the inconvenience of seeking a 2nd or 3rd opinion.  That’s ok.  It’s for the craniofacial development and well being of your child.  Be the superhero for Johnny or Lacey.  Everything is “figureoutable” (thanks @marieforleo).  You just have to get started, and I’m here to help.  

#4.  Download the Getting Started Guide.