Chat Speech Language Pathology PLLC

01/28/2026

"A lack of sleep can damage brain neurons, particularly in the prefrontal cortex region. This may be due to a decrease in oxygen and an increase in carbon dioxide levels, interference with sleep's restorative processes, and disruption in the balance of cellular and chemical systems. Inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity --- the classic trademarks of ADHD --- can result."

Myofunctional therapy can reduce sleep apneae events by more than 50% in children
And is 🔑 to preventing mouth breathing and snoring /apnea after tonsil and adenoid removal. Non invasive & holistic.

https://www.childrensairwayfirst.org/post/does-apnea-lead-to-adhd-in-kids?fbclid=IwAR0zJrHfkQPqywUcKcPMm1C2Lmxwb6e0XsouWlKsXxMzMnoEP4jpdhjnor0cpntdvh

What if we thought about dental health as the foundation for our children's physical health?

01/18/2026

Wow. Look. At. This. Group.
It lights my souls just looking at this picture 🤍 To be surrounded by such passionate and brilliant professionals 🤍
We had the pleasure of celebrating our grand opening alongside an incredible group of pioneering professionals. In addition to our speech pathologists/myofunctional therapists, were the areas best dentists, orthodontists, physical therapists, lactation consultants, chiropractors, oral surgeon and a craniosacral/massage therapist.

Together, we’re redefining care through collaboration and a holistic approach to airway & sleep health, addressing related concerns and oral-facial dysfunction at the root.

We are grateful to build a community focused on whole-body health and better outcomes for all ages🤍

Pictured: Left to Right Back Row: Pediatric Dentist Dr Lawrence Kotlow, Orthodontist Dr VIctoria Taylor, Elizabeth Briggs SLP/QOM, Sleep Specialist/Dentist Dr Kristen Geist, Emma Bagnato SLP, Rebecca LaBombard Certified Lactation Consultant, Chiropractor Dr Cortnee Whipple, Physical Therapist Dr Gina Ellis, Pediatric Dentist Dr Dan Caban. Left to Right Front Row: Massage Therapist/Craniosacral Therapist Heather Wamsley, Bri Nassar SLP, Physical Therapist Dr Heather Tramblay-Croteau, Amy Fealey Certified Lactation Consultant, Kate Chatigny SLP/QOM, Dentist Dr Kendra Zappia.

Not Pictured: Oral Surgeon Dr Mohamed Bayoumy, Dentist Dr Gaetano Gialanella, Chirpractors Dr Amy Donovan, Dr Eric Samson, Dr Healiea Palmer, Orthodontists Dr Andrew Palermo, Dr. Timmothy Esmay, Physical Therapists Dr. Ashley O’Connor, Dr Alyssa Knotek and Kim Fahey.

01/17/2026

Thank you to everyone who came and celebrated our grand opening.

01/04/2026

Prematurity and high narrow palates

It is well known that premature infants are at greater risk of developing obstructive Sleep Disturbed Breathing (SDB). These sleep disorders are well linked to increased risk of developmental, neurocognitive and behavioural problems in children.

We also know that narrow high palates are a risk factor for SDB.

Last year, a research study of 244 premature infants exploring the links between high arch palates, the development of SDB and developmental outcomes at 2 years, was published by Huang et al. in the journal Sleep Medicine.

***

What were the findings?

62% of pre-term babies had a high narrow palate at birth, compared to 10% of the control group (infants born 37-40 weeks).

The high palate persisted during the two year follow up period.

At the end of two years, 79% of the premature infant group had Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) compared to 10% of the control group.

Within the subgroup of premature infants with narrow high palate, the incidence of OSA was 84.7%.

Neurodevelopmental outcomes were assessed at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months using Bayley Scales of Infant Development and the Denver Developmental Screening Tests (DDT).

There was a greater proportion of children with developmental delay in the premature infant group at every stage. Within the premature infant group, there was a significantly greater proportion of children with developmental delay in the narrow high palate group compared to the normal palate group.

Overall, the data supports that high narrow palate is an important risk factor in the development of abnormal breathing.

***

Why is there a link with prematurity and high palate?

The last three months of pregnancy are critical for the fetus to train normal reflexes and prepare for the functions of sucking, swallowing, chewing and nasal breathing.

Prematurity interrupts this training time, leading to incomplete muscle development. This includes the tongue, which needs to function correctly to stimulate the midpalate suture and properly develop the palate structure.

The palate is the floor of the nose. When it is high and narrow, the nasal passages are narrowed and there is increased resistance to nasal breathing. It promotes nasal disuse and the development of mouth breathing over time. Mouth breathing is also associated with poor stimulation of palate development. The cycle of dysfunction and poor structural development is perpetuated.

The palate is also an important part of the skeletal framework that supports our collapsible tube of airway muscles. A narrow palate offers reduced support. The upper airway is more prone to collapse during sleep when its muscles (including the tongue) are more relaxed.

***

As a dentist involved in with managing adult OSA, I see the narrow high palate in many of my patients. I often find it despairing to listen to the impacts it has had on people’s health, mood and quality of life and wish the problem had been intervened earlier.

I believe normalizing both orofacial muscle functions and palate structures as early in life as possible is a very worthwhile goal.

Of great interest to me is that the same group of researchers has previously shared data demonstrating that myofunctional therapy exercises to stimulate more normal oral function helps normalise palate development and breathing over time. (Huang et al. 2012)

They excluded a group of children who were having myofunctional therapy from the premature infant group in the 2019 published study for this reason.

I have a special interest and am closely following the research in this area. I hope to learn more approaches with interdisciplinary colleagues to help this high-risk group in the future.

I also hope to see more focus on prevention as early as conception – and specifically through addressing maternal sleep disturbed breathing, a known risk factor in pre-term births.

12/31/2025

We are excited to feature this talented artist in our beautiful space

We were lucky to catch up with MaryK Weeks recently and have shared our conversation below. MaryK, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilien

12/18/2025

Chat Speech Wrapped 2025. From early intervention and beyond 🙌 We focused on root cause treatment for airway health using myofunctional therapy and more. We saw meaningful gains in breathing, sleep, speech and feeding.
Wow, what an amazing and impactful year 🥹🥰

12/09/2025

We have been in our new space for just over a week but it already feels like home

Specializing in Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy to Improve Breathing, Feeding, and Sleep Across the Lifespan

11/29/2025

Thankful everyday for this amazing team and families that trust us - Chat Speech

11/19/2025

https://www.timesunion.com/marketplace/article/chat-speech-expands-new-guilderland-location-meet-21162026.php

Specializing in Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy to Improve Breathing, Feeding, and Sleep Across the Lifespan

11/07/2025

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) is a therapeutic approach that provides neuromuscular re-education to the muscles of the orofacial complex to promote nasal breathing, adequate lip closure, proper tongue resting position, and a healthy swallow pattern.
Dysfunction and imbalance of the orofacial muscles can negatively impact breastfeeding, oral hygiene, facial growth and esthetics, stability of orthodontic treatment, temporomandibular joint movement, posture, digestion, sleep and more.

Get more information at www.chatspeechny.com
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