Once a child can imitate (i.e., Gross Motor Imitation), you can start working on Oral Motor movements and Verbal Imitation.

While some Speech and Language Pathologists (SLP’s) will tell you that there is no documented evidence that Oral Motor Imitation leads to talking, other SLP’s swear by Oral Motor exercises.

Our stance: Each learner is unique. Take data. If your data show that the introduction of oral motor movements is not leading to speech, stop the program. If your data show that the introduction of an oral motor program is leading to increased sound production (and quality), then continue the program.