01/27/2026
One thing many caregivers are surprised by in myofunctional therapy is that a large portion of the final phase focuses on managing food — and there’s a very intentional reason for that.
Early myofunctional therapy builds the foundation: control and shaping of the tongue for proper chewing and swallowing mechanics, ability to use the lips for effective food containment and clearance, muscles of the face and jaw for efficient and competent chewing, coordinated breathing, and endurance. These skills are practiced in controlled ways first, without the added complexity of food.
Drinking skills and proper tongue movement for effective bolus control and propulsion during swallowing are specifically targeted. Suctioning and bolus formation are built into early practice so that, when food is introduced, the body is ready to manage it.
Eating is where everything has to come together in real life. Different textures, changing bite sizes, timing, fatigue, attention, and coordination across an entire meal all place higher demands on the system. Food management becomes the functional test of the skills that have already been developed.
This phase is sometimes referred to clinically as “feeding,” but at its core, it’s about how a child manages real meals — chewing efficiently, coordinating swallowing, maintaining posture, and sustaining those skills from the first bite to the last.
That’s why it comes last. Not because it’s an afterthought — but because it requires readiness. When the foundation is solid, eating becomes more efficient, more comfortable, and more successful across everyday situations.
