Why Resting Tongue Position Matters — and Why Myofunctional Therapy Is Becoming Essential in Modern Speech Therapy 

If you’ve spent time in the pediatric therapy world lately—especially within speech-language pathology—you may have heard a new term circulating more and more: orofacial myofunctional therapy or MYO for short. And alongside it, you may hear clinicians talking about “resting tongue posture” or asking questions like: 

“Where does your child’s tongue sit when they’re not talking?” 

“Does their mouth rest open?” 

• “Is their tongue low, forward, or against their teeth?” 

To a parent, this can feel confusing or even surprising. Many assume the tongue is only something we think about when eating or speaking. But in reality, what the tongue does the other 23 hours of the day has a huge impact on speech clarity, feeding, oral development, airway health, and overall function. 

This blog post breaks down exactly why resting tongue position matters, why myofunctional therapy is becoming essential, and why so many SLPs are referring for MYO evaluation or incorporating MYO into treatment. 

What Is Resting Tongue Position?

“Resting tongue posture” refers to where the tongue naturally sits when a child is not actively speaking, chewing, or swallowing. Ideally, the tongue should rest: 

• Gently sealed behind closed lips 

• The tip of the tongue resting on the alveolar ridge (the bumpy spot right behind the upper front teeth) 

• The sides of the tongue lightly suctioned to the palate 

• The teeth slightly apart  

• Breathing through the nose

This position supports multiple systems: breathing, swallowing, speech production, and facial growth. 

But many children do not have this ideal posture. Instead, their tongue may rest: 

• Low in the mouth 

• On the bottom teeth 

• Forward between the teeth 

• Against the lips or cheeks 

• With the mouth hanging open 

• Accompanied by chronic mouth breathing 

This is called low tongue posture or oral resting posture differences, and it is a common reason SLPs refer for myofunctional therapy. 

Why Does Resting Tongue Position Matter So Much?

Resting posture impacts three major areas: 

1. Speech Development

The tongue’s resting position influences muscle tone, stability, and accuracy, which all contribute to speech sound production. 

A tongue that rests low often leads to: 

• Distorted /s/ and /z/ (“slushy” sounds) 

• Lisping (tongue pushing forward or sideways) 

• Difficulty stabilizing the tongue for r, l, sh, ch, j 

• Poor dissociation (moving the tongue separately from the jaw) 

• Weakness in tongue elevation needed for precise articulation 

If the tongue is not strong enough or stable enough to maintain a healthy resting position, it often struggles to reach the positions needed for precise speech. 

This is why SLPs notice a pattern: 

 Kids who cannot hold their tongue up at rest often struggle with articulation goals that require elevation, precision, or retraction. 

2. Swallowing and Feeding Skills

Resting tongue posture also directly influences swallowing mechanics. 

A tongue that sits low often results in: 

• Tongue thrust swallowing

• Difficulty moving food around the mouth

• Poor bolus formation

• Open-mouth chewing

• Chewing fatigue

• Messy eating and drooling

Because swallowing happens 1,200–2,000 times per day, an incorrect pattern reinforces itself continuously. Over time, this can lead to: 

• Dental misalignment 

• Prolonged feeding difficulties 

• Picky eating, food refusal, or limited diets 

• Fatigue and inefficient nutrition intake 

SLPs trained in feeding therapy or myofunctional therapy commonly identify these patterns early. 

3. Facial Growth, Dental Alignment, and Airway Health

Here’s the part most parents don’t expect: 

 The tongue is one of the most powerful “orthopedic” forces acting on the growing face. 

A tongue that rests low or forward can contribute to: 

• Narrow palate 

• Crowded teeth 

• Open bite or overjet 

• Long facial growth pattern 

• Poor jaw development 

• Sleep-disordered breathing 

• Snoring or mouth breathing 

• Enlarged tonsils and adenoids (through chronic mouth breathing) 

The tongue is meant to sit against the palate and serve as a natural “expander” during childhood. When it’s low or forward, the palate may not widen the way it should, often leading to long-term dental and airway issues. 

Many orthodontists and ENTs now emphasize that if resting tongue posture isn’t corrected, orthodontic results may relapse, because the tongue continues pushing against the teeth from the wrong direction.

Why Do Children Develop Poor Resting Tongue Posture?

Several underlying causes exist, and SLPs are often the first to identify them. 

1. Oral Restrictions (Tongue-Tie or Lip-Tie)

A restricted lingual frenulum can prevent the tongue from lifting to the palate. Even mild tongue ties can significantly impact resting posture, swallowing, and articulation. 

2. Chronic Mouth Breathing

If a child cannot breathe easily through their nose due to allergies, enlarged tonsils, adenoids, congestion, or anatomical variations, they compensate by mouth breathing. 

When the mouth is open, the tongue naturally drops low. 

3. Low Oral Tone or Muscle Weakness

Some children have difficulty holding the tongue up because the musculature is not yet developed or coordinated. 

4. Prolonged Pacifier Use, Bottle Use, or Thumb Sucking

These habits change oral patterns and often push the tongue forward or down. 

5. Sensory Preferences

Some children prefer the feeling of their tongue forward or low due to sensory processing differences. 

6. Learned Patterns

If a child has always swallowed or rested the tongue a certain way, the pattern becomes habitual—even if the original reason is no longer present. 

This is where myofunctional therapy comes in. 

  What Is Myofunctional Therapy (MYO)?

Myofunctional therapy is a neuromuscular re-education program targeting: 

• Resting tongue posture 

• Nasal breathing 

• Proper swallowing mechanics 

• Lip seal 

• Coordination of the facial and tongue muscles 

• Oral habits (thumb sucking, open-mouth posture) 

It includes exercises to strengthen and retrain: 

• Tongue elevation 

• Tongue retraction 

• Lip closure 

• Cheek stability 

• Palatal suction 

• Diaphragmatic breathing

• Oral awareness 

Why Are SLPs Referring for Myofunctional Therapy More Often?

There are six major reasons: 

1. Because Articulation Alone Isn't Solving the Root Cause

Many SLPs notice patterns like: 

• A child makes progress with /s/ and /z/ but regresses 

• The child can produce sounds in therapy but not in conversation 

• The child struggles with stability despite drill-based practice 

When SLPs assess the orofacial complex, they often discover: 

• Low tongue posture 

• Weak lip closure 

• Mouth breathing 

• Reduced lingual elevation 

• Ankyloglossia (tongue tie) 

• Incorrect resting patterns 

If the muscles cannot support the correct posture, the speech sound cannot stabilize. 

MYO addresses the underlying anatomy and function—not just the sound. 

2. SLPs Are Understanding the Airway-Speech Connection

There is now a significant connection between: 

• Nasal breathing 

• Tongue posture 

• Jaw development 

• Sleep quality 

• Cognitive, behavioral, and emotional regulation 

• Speech motor control 

Children who mouth breathe often present with: 

• Daytime fatigue 

• Hyperactivity 

• Snoring 

• Restless sleep 

• Learning challenges 

• Poor attention 

• Speech difficulties 

SLPs frequently identify these concerns before others do, prompting referral for MYO or airway assessment. 

3. Feeding and Oral Motor Patterns Are More Widely Recognized

SLPs treating picky eating, ARFID-like patterns, or inefficient chewing often find underlying myofunctional deficits. 

MYO supports: 

• Lip closure for spoon clearing 

• Tongue elevation for mashing 

• Lateralization for chewing 

• Safe swallowing 

• Tolerance of varied textures 

• Efficient intake 

If a child’s tongue and oral musculature are not functioning well, feeding therapy alone may not be enough. MYO adds the missing piece. 

4. Increased Recognition of Tongue Tie-Related Challenges

Even after a frenectomy, children may struggle with: 

• Learning new oral patterns 

• Retraining muscles 

• Achieving palatal suction 

• Elevating the tongue consistently 

SLPs skilled in MYO help integrate new tongue mobility into functional patterns. Many providers now recommend pre- and post-frenectomy myofunctional therapy for best outcomes. 

5. Orthodontists Are Collaborating with SLPs More Than Ever

Orthodontists increasingly recognize that: 

“If the tongue isn’t on the roof of the mouth, the palate can narrow again—even after expansion.” 

This leads to: 

• Crossbite relapse 

• Overjet returning 

• Crowding coming back 

 Because the tongue is a natural expander, MYO helps maintain orthodontic results by stabilizing the oral environment. 

SLPs trained in MYO often become key team members in collaborative care. 

6. SLPs Are Seeing the Whole Child—not just the speech sound

Modern speech therapy is moving toward a whole-child, neurodiversity-affirming, function-first approach. 

MYO fits this well because it focuses on: 

• Optimal breathing 

• Healthy oral patterns 

• Efficient feeding 

• Clear communication 

• Improved sleep and attention 

 It helps children: 

• Breathe better 

• Sleep better 

• Eat better 

• Speak more clearly 

 SLPs recognize that treating only articulation without addressing the entire oral system is limited. MYO fills that gap. 

What Does Myofunctional Therapy Look Like? 

1. Assessment

An SLP or MYO provider evaluates: 

• Rest posture 

• Breathing patterns 

• Tongue mobility 

• Palatal structure 

• Swallowing mechanics 

• Jaw stability 

• Oral habits 

• Nasal airway

2. Foundational Skills 

Building: 

• Nasal breathing 

• Lip seal 

• Correct head and neck posture 

• Adequate lingual strength 

3. Tongue Elevation Training 

Practicing: 

• Lingual-palatal suction 

• Tongue tip, middle, and back elevation 

• Coordination with breathing 

4. Swallow Training 

Teaching: 

• Correct tongue placement 

• Sequential oral-motor control 

• Efficient bolus handling 

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5. Habit Elimination and Integration

Supporting: 

• Thumb sucking elimination 

• Pacifier weaning 

• Replacing mouth-breathing patterns 

6. Homework and Daily Habits

Small daily practice builds neuromuscular change. 

A full MYO program typically lasts 3–12 months, depending on needs. 

How Do Parents Know if Their Child Might Benefit From MYO?

Here are common red flags: 

• Mouth always hangs open 

• Snoring or restless sleep 

• Drooling past age 3 

• Tongue sits low or forward 

• Lisp or unclear articulation 

• Difficulty chewing or picky eating 

• Frequent choking on saliva or food 

• Messy or inefficient eating 

• Orthodontic concerns 

• Tongue tie diagnosis or suspicion 

• Chronic allergies or congestion 

• Tongue pushing against teeth 

• Hard time keeping lips closed 

If you see several of these signs, an SLP evaluation—including a myofunctional screening—is recommended. 

The Bottom Line: Resting Tongue Position Is Foundational—MYO Helps Rebuild It 

Resting tongue posture affects speech clarity, feeding skills, dental growth, airway health, and even sleep. It is one of the most overlooked but most important components of a child’s oral development. 

Myofunctional therapy is not a trend—it is a science-backed, functional, interdisciplinary approach that is helping children achieve long-term improvements in: 

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• Speech production 

• Feeding efficiency 

• Breathing and sleep 

• Oral development 

• Whole-body wellness 

This is why SLPs are increasingly referring for MYO and incorporating these principles into therapy. 

Parents, clinicians, and medical providers who understand the power of resting tongue posture can catch concerns early, intervene more effectively, and support children in building lifelong healthy patterns.