What We Know About Non-Oral Motor Exercises - Assignment Example

            There are a number of problems that may affect a child's ability to speak: a cleft palate, for example. These kinds of physical limitations may require special training in order to overcome them. But need the training be focused entirely on the mouth? Some suggest that strength training can assist in these matters. As the authors argue in this article, the key lies in assessment. How can we determine the efficacy of non-traditional methods of improving speech? We need to be very careful to distinguish between scientific and pseudo-scientific techniques. There is a distinction to be made between clinical researchers and general theorists. We need to carefully understand that knowledge in this field requires a careful methodology and should bear repeating. Clinical scientists are often best trained in these methods; their principles should be brought to bear on those who practice nonoral motor exercises.

            Human knowledge increases through a combination of small steps and large leaps. In order to know what is effective, we need to be able to understand the methodology and reproduce results. This useful article underlines these principles with regard to nonoral motor exercises.