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Food Jagging is when a child wants to eat the same foods, prepared the same way, every day and sometimes even every meal. When a child ‘jags’ on a particular food, it is likely that they will eventually tire of that food and eliminate it entirely from their diet. 

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There are basic strategies that we know will help enrich language development in young children.  For instance, we know that it is important to really listen when your child is trying to communicate, whetherthrough verbalizations or gestures. 

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Can Thumb Sucking Impact Speech Development? What Every Parent Needs to Know

Thumb sucking or pacifier use is a common source of comfort for infants and toddlers. For many parents, it seems harmless—especially if the habit fades before permanent teeth erupt. But recent research suggests this behavior may have more long-term consequences than we once thought.

A joint study conducted in the U.S. and Chile revealed that children who sucked their thumbs or used pacifiers beyond three years of age were three times more likely to develop speech impediments. That’s a wake-up call for parents, pediatricians, and therapists alike.

Let’s break down the potential effects of prolonged thumb sucking into three key areas: language development, speech articulation, and oral structure.

1. Language Development: The Foundation of Communication

Language development begins with early vocal play—those coos, babbles, and playful sounds babies make while staring at mobiles or interacting with caregivers. These vocal explorations are critical building blocks for meaningful communication.

But when a child constantly has a thumb or pacifier in their mouth, they miss valuable opportunities to practice those sounds and engage in social exchanges. Over time, this can delay expressive language development and hinder a child’s willingness to participate in interactive play.

Worse still, thumb-sucking can become a comfort crutch that limits social engagement. Children dependent on oral soothing may become less responsive during group play or hesitant to communicate, leading to potential isolation or teasing from peers as they get older.

2. Speech Articulation: Shaping Sounds the Right Way

Speech isn’t just about language—it’s also about the precise movements of the lips, tongue, and mouth. Prolonged thumb sucking can disrupt the development of these oral motor skills by interfering with how children practice sounds and control airflow.

This habit can physically alter oral structures in ways that distort sounds, particularly:

S, Z, T, D, L, N, and DZ

Lisping due to tongue thrust or protrusion between teeth

In some cases, these articulation issues may persist into adolescence or adulthood without speech therapy, affecting confidence, social interaction, and academic participation.

3. Oral and Dental Structure: Beyond Just Aesthetic Concerns

Prolonged thumb sucking can reshape the oral cavity, contributing to:

Malocclusion (misaligned teeth)

Overbite (teeth pushed outward)

Tongue thrust (abnormal resting position and movement)

Poor chewing mechanics and jaw alignment

These structural changes may not only impact speech but also lead to difficulties with eating and increased risk for orthodontic intervention later in life.

Plus, let’s not forget the hygiene concerns. Little hands pick up countless germs, and popping a thumb or pacifier back into a child’s mouth introduces those germs directly into their system. The familiar “5-second rule” doesn’t apply here—especially when it comes to warm, saliva-covered pacifiers dropped on the floor.

So… How Can You Help Your Child Break the Habit?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but early intervention is key. If your child is dependent on thumb-sucking, here are some supportive strategies to try:

Offer substitute activities: Engage them with bubbles, books, or songs like “Pat-a-Cake” or “Ring Around the Rosie.”

Redirect early: If you notice their hand moving toward the mouth, gently redirect it with a playful or engaging activity.

Avoid scolding: Instead of focusing on the behavior, provide positive alternatives that keep their mouth busy—like singing, talking, or pretend play.

Limit pacifier use: Confine it to nap time or bedtime only, and begin weaning before age three.

Remember, consistency and patience are your best tools.

When to Seek Professional Help

If you suspect your child is experiencing speech delays, articulation issues, or signs of tongue thrust, don’t wait. Early evaluation by a licensed speech-language pathologist can make a world of difference.

At Speech & Occupational Therapy of North Texas, we provide evaluations and individualized therapy plans to support your child’s communication and oral development. We serve families in Frisco and East Plano (Murphy)—and most insurance plans cover speech and language evaluations.

📞 Call us at 972-424-0148 to speak with a therapist or schedule an appointment.

Thumb sucking is a natural comfort behavior—but when it lingers past the toddler years, it can silently shape your child’s speech, social skills, and oral health. The good news? With awareness, support, and timely action, you can help your child move beyond this habit and toward clear, confident communication.

To Know More: https://www.speechandot.com/plano-speech-therapy-specialist-discusses-thumb-sucking-in-children/

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Understanding Food Jagging: Why Your Child Only Eats the Same Foods

As a parent, you’ve probably had moments of relief when your picky eater finally finds a food they love. But what happens when your child insists on eating that one food—prepared the same way—at every meal?

What Is Food Jagging?

Food jagging occurs when a child wants to eat the same food, prepared the same way, over and over—sometimes at every single meal. While it may seem like a minor phase or even a relief at first (“At least they’re eating!”), food jagging can lead to long-term eating challenges.

Over time, children often grow tired of the food they’ve been jagging on. Once that happens, they may eliminate it entirely from their diet, leaving their food choices even more limited.

Food Jagging vs. Picky Eating

It’s easy to confuse food jagging with picky eating, but the two aren’t quite the same:

Picky eaters may reject certain foods temporarily but usually cycle them back into their diet after a few weeks.

Food jaggers, however, may drop foods permanently once they tire of them, shrinking their overall food repertoire.

According to the Sequential-Oral-Sensory (SOS) Approach to Feeding by Dr. Kay Toomey, children should ideally have at least 30 different foods they eat regularly across meals and snacks. This diversity is crucial for balanced nutrition and healthy development.

Who’s at Risk?

Any child can fall into a pattern of food jagging, but certain groups are at higher risk:

Children with feeding difficulties

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), especially those with sensory sensitivities

Kids on the spectrum may jag on foods because they crave predictability—same taste, same texture, even the same packaging. It’s a way to reduce sensory stress during mealtime.

What Can Parents Do?

If you notice your child falling into a food jag, there are practical strategies you can implement at home:

1. Introduce Variety Early and Often

Make it a habit to offer a variety of foods across meals. As tempting as it is to fall back on familiar snacks, mix it up with different options. Even small changes can help broaden your child’s palate.

2. Engage Them in the Process

Take your child grocery shopping. Let them help prep meals. These low-pressure exposures can make unfamiliar foods feel more approachable and less intimidating.

3. Use Subtle Food Tweaks

If your child is already jagging, start by selecting the least nutritious food they’re stuck on. Then make slight, gradual changes to it:

Shape: Use cookie cutters to make fun shapes out of sandwiches or pancakes.

Color: Add food coloring or pick prepackaged foods in different shades.

Flavor: Introduce new sauces, spices, or toppings slowly.

Texture and Temperature: These changes come last, as they’re hardest for most kids to handle.

Pro tip: Only change one element at a time, and do so over multiple exposures. Consistency is key.

If your child rejects the change or becomes distressed, it’s a sign you’ve moved too fast.

When to Seek Professional Help

If your child is eliminating multiple foods and your efforts to reintroduce variety aren’t working, consider consulting a feeding therapist. Professional support can make a huge difference—especially for children with sensory challenges or developmental delays.

At Speech & Occupational Therapy of North Texas, our trained speech-language pathologists specialize in feeding therapy. We offer services at both our Frisco and East Plano (Murphy) locations. Many families find that therapy is covered by insurance, making it an accessible option for support.

📞 Call us at 972-424-0148 to learn more or schedule a consultation.

Food jagging isn’t just a phase—it’s a red flag that a child’s eating habits may be narrowing in a way that affects their long-term nutrition. The good news? With mindful strategies and the right support, your child can learn to accept new foods and enjoy a healthier, more varied diet.

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Have you noticed that there are times where the weather gets bad outside, and you notice an increase in problematic autistic behaviors in your child? This is not just your imagination. There are many reasons for this. Researchers have long-known that a correlation exists between increased autistic behavior and low pressure systems which usually result in rain.

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Speech Therapy Plano – Empowering Children Through Compassionate Care

At Speech & Occupational Therapy of North Texas, we believe that love, respect, and acceptance are the foundation of every child’s success. These values are at the heart of everything we do, especially in our Plano speech therapy clinic, where families find compassionate care, expert guidance, and lasting results.

Since 2001, we’ve proudly served children and families across Plano, Frisco, and McKinney, offering pediatric speech and occupational therapy tailored to each child’s unique needs. Our highly skilled therapists use the latest evidence-based techniques to help every child reach their full potential — in speech, communication, sensory processing, and beyond.

We’re more than just a clinic — we’re a community. Each of our locations maintains a warm, small-clinic feel while delivering the high-quality therapy services and technology systems demanded by modern healthcare. Whether you're looking for speech therapy in Plano for articulation, language processing, or oral motor support, we’re here to help your child thrive.

Our Services Include:

Core Therapy Services:

Speech Therapy

Feeding & Swallowing Disorders

Articulation & Phonological Disorders

Auditory & Language Processing

Oral Motor Impairments

Occupational Therapy

Sensory Integration Therapy

Specialized Approaches:

Beckman Oral Motor Approach

Compton P-ESL Method

Greenspan Floortime Model

Home Goals & Parent/Caregiver Training

With more than two decades of trusted service, we’re honored to impact the world — one child at a time. If you’re looking for compassionate, results-driven speech therapy in Plano, we’re here to walk with you every step of the way.

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What is Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD)? Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Support

Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD)—also known as Heller’s Syndrome, Disintegrative Psychosis, or Dementia Infantilis—is a rare but deeply impactful condition, affecting just one in 100,000 children. Its hallmark feature is the sudden and severe loss of developmental skills after a period of seemingly typical growth. These regressions can affect a child’s language, motor skills, and social abilities, often leaving parents searching for answers.

Unfortunately, researchers still don’t fully understand why CDD occurs, making early diagnosis and support critical.

CDD vs. Autism: How Are They Different?

While CDD shares some similarities with autism, it stands apart in its late onset and dramatic regression. Interestingly, Theodor Heller first described CDD in 1908, 35 years before the term “autism” was coined. Despite this, many experts consider CDD a rare subset of autism, which is why it was reclassified as part of the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) umbrella in the DSM-5 manual (released in 2013).

One key difference is the timing and severity of the regression:

CDD: Regression occurs after at least two years of normal development, often between ages 3 and 10. The decline can be so abrupt that children sometimes verbalize their confusion, asking, “What’s happening to me?”

Autism: Developmental delays or atypical behaviors are often noticeable from infancy, without the same dramatic loss of previously acquired skills.

For families, this sudden regression can feel devastating, as it disrupts the progress they’ve already seen.

Signs and Diagnostic Criteria for Childhood Disintegrative Disorder

To diagnose CDD, children must meet specific criteria that include:

A Period of Normal Development: Children show typical development in areas like communication, social interaction, and motor skills until at least age 2.

Sudden and Severe Skill Loss: After this period, they lose abilities in at least two of the following functional areas:

Expressive and receptive language

Social and self-care skills

Bowel and bladder control

Motor skills

Play skills

Impairments in Core Areas: The child will experience significant difficulties in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behavior patterns.

Key Differences from Autism: Children with CDD often experience more pronounced sensory processing issues and severe speech difficulties that don’t respond well to typical interventions like stimulants. However, cognitive challenges may be less severe compared to those with autism.

Finding Hope: Early Intervention and Support for CDD

If your child is showing signs of CDD, you are not alone. Early intervention is essential to help manage symptoms and provide much-needed support for both children and their families.

At Speech & OT in Plano, Texas, we specialize in helping families navigate the challenges of CDD. Our dedicated team of speech therapists and occupational therapists is here to support your child’s journey toward improvement.

📞 Contact Us Today + (972)424-0148

Don’t wait—reach out now to schedule a consultation. Together, we’ll create a personalized plan to help your child thrive despite the challenges of CDD.

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Childhood disintegrative disorder is a rare condition with only one case in 100,000 children. One of its main characteristics is the late onset of developmental delays, but some children will suddenly or severely reverse in these areas which include language, motor skills, and social functioning. Unfortunately, researchers have no idea why this happens.