The Evolving Field of Myofunctional Therapy: Innovations and Research Updates from Brazil

Presented by: Marileda Cattelan Tome, PhD, CCC-SLP, OMTS

Original Presentation Date: September 24, 2021

Course Description:

This course explores Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy research in Brazil, delving into historical insights, contemporary studies, and their direct application in clinical settings. This course offers participants an insightful overview of the evolution of myofunctional therapy, emphasizing the relevance of current research trends and their implications for present and future practices within the field. 

Learning Objectives:

• Comprehend the historical underpinnings and evolution of myofunctional therapy in Brazil, elucidating the key milestones, influencers, and developmental phases that have shaped its current landscape.
• Analyze the latest research advancements and studies within the myofunctional therapy field, assessing their practical applicability in clinical contexts and discerning their potential impact on treatment methodologies.
• Engage in discussions to identify and elucidate the research needs and unmet gaps within the myofunctional therapy domain, fostering an understanding of the evolving requirements and future directions necessary for advancing the field's knowledge base and efficacy in therapeutic interventions.

Speaker Bio:

Marileda Tomé, a Professor of Speech-Language Pathology at Andrews University, boasts an extensive career spanning 27 years in rehabilitating human communication disorders. Holding a Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Science with a focus on Human Communication Disorders from the Federal University of Sao Paulo (USP), she previously taught at the University of Itajai Valley (Univali). She worked as a clinician in private practice in Brazil. Dr. Tomé's expertise encompasses speech, myofunctional therapy, voice, and swallowing disorders across diverse age groups, from infants to adults. Her research pursuits revolve around speech sound disorders associated with structural issues, myofunctional therapy, voice concerns, and public health within the realm of Speech-Language Pathology (SLP).