Learning Problems and the [LP1] Link to Poor Jaw and Airway Growth

By Janice Lane Palko

You’ve all heard the phrase, “What you don’t know can’t hurt you.” But that is a fallacy especially when it comes to poor jaw and airway growth and the harm it can pose for children.

Ashlee Friedman, BS, RDH, a certified Myofunctional Therapist (MFT) and Director of MyoWay Centers for Kids, which opened on May 1 at 100 Bradford, Suite 200, Wexford, answered some questions for our readers, parents, and school administrations about this syndrome and how it can harm children and possibly be misdiagnosed as ADHD.

Q. What is causes poor jaw and airway growth?

A. Because our genetic code has not evolved to keep up with our modern way of life, today our jaws in industrialized societies are smaller, leading to restricted airways and crooked teeth. This is a result of agriculture producing softer processed foods, and environmental pollutants leading to restricted nasal breathing and increased mouth breathing. It is sometimes referred to as “small jaw syndrome,” and it can lead to a host of sleep-related breathing disorders such as ADHD symptoms, behavioral and learning issues, snoring, poor sleep, fatigue, teeth grinding, crowded teeth, mouth breathing, headaches, digestive issues, poor posture, bedwetting, and general anxiety. These issues follow children into adulthood if the root cause is not addressed.

Q. How do you treat this?

A. The syndrome is treated with Myofunctional Therapy which concentrates on strengthening the muscles of the face, mouth, and throat so that the patient can breathe properly and that the jaw and airway both grow properly.

Q. Is the therapy invasive?

A. No, the therapy is not invasive at all and is in fact it is fun! We prescribe appliances, and children find them comforting. Young children learn and explore by putting things in their mouths, and our appliances soothe them and help them to breathe better, making them feel better. We have individual and community strengthening sessions that the children enjoy.

Q. Is the therapy the same for every child?

A. Our program lasts 12 months, and we have age-appropriate therapies for children from newborn, toddlers, and preschoolers, to school-aged children on up. Every child is different, but usually after the 12 months, the symptoms have been resolved and the child feels much better. The child is then given a maintenance appliance, much like an orthodontist would prescribe a retainer, to keep the strengthened muscles strong.

Q. How is poor jaw and airway growth detected?

A. The biggest clue is mouth breathing, which can lead to other issues like bedwetting, difficulty learning in school, behavioral issues, etc. These symptoms can be misdiagnosed as ADHD. In fact, sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBDs) can be linked to behavioral problems in children that are similar to ADHD. A 2012 study found that children with SRBD were 40–100% more likely to develop ADHD-like behaviors by age seven than children without breathing issues. If your child is exhibiting ADHD-like symptoms or has been diagnosed with ADHD, you may want to consider whether interrupted sleep might be the issue.

Q. Can ADHD medications exacerbate sleep-related breathing disorders?

A. Unfortunately, yes. What is prescribed to treat ADHD can disrupt sleep, creating a vicious cycle.

Q. What should parents and school personnel be aware of?

A. If children can’t breathe right while sleeping, children go to school exhausted and may have difficulty focusing and have trouble in school. I would encourage parents and teachers to not leap to a conclusion of ADHD. It may be a breathing problem that can be corrected without medicating a child. If you have any concerns, schedule a free consultation and put your mind at ease.

To learn more about MyoWay Centers for Kids, visit the website at: www.myowaycenters.com or call (724) 765-0001.