Children with speech delays often have underlying oral muscle dysfunction, including incorrect swallowing and tongue-thrusting patterns, which can contribute to the development of sleep-disordered breathing. When the airway becomes obstructed during sleep, it can lead to fragmented and poor quality sleep, affecting the child's ability to concentrate, learn, and develop speech and language skills.
In some cases, treating sleep-disordered breathing can improve speech and language development in children. Additionally, myofunctional therapy to correct underlying oral muscle dysfunction can also help to improve breathing during sleep and reduce the risk of sleep-disordered breathing.
