An article published online this week in the US is based on the memories of a Speech and Language Therapist (or Speech and Language Pathologist in the US). It discusses one particular case that the therapist – Betty McMicken – remembered well because of how unusual it was. You can read the article in full here: http://www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_18447444

The case involved a girl who had been born with a very rare condition called congenital aglossia, meaning that she was born without a tongue. When the girl arrived at McMicken’s clinic, she spoke easily for about 15 minutes with the therapist. It was only when McMicken looked in her mouth that she realised the girl had no tongue.

The tongue is one of the most important oral mechanisms needed for clear speech. It has to be able to move very accurately, quickly and smoothly. It was extremely surprising for McMicken – an experienced speech and language therapist – to find that the girl was able to talk despite having no tongue.

It became apparent that the girl – nicknamed ‘Carol’ to preserve confidentiality – had achieved something incredible. McMicken states that “Carol had learned to use the two muscles in the floor of her mouth and move her lower jaw and head in a way that strengthened the muscles, enabling her to speak and swallow.”

Carol had an abnormally small jaw, and she and her mother had gone to McMicken to establish if cosmetic surgery would affect her ability to talk. Doctors determined that any surgery to the jaw would affect her speech.

McMicken notes that tongue restoration techniques have progressed considerably since Carol attended the clinic, but that patients can continue to have difficulty eating and/or speaking. She reports that reviewing footage of Carol has been an important learning experience: “We’ve learned that we can place the pseudo-tongue in a more functional location in the oral cavity. We can assist our patients with greater mandibular (jaw) movement, which was what she was showing us. Most important of all, she has taught us and continues to teach us how to help people with throat and mouth cancer who require resection and reconstruction.”

If you think you, a relative or friend may benefit from speech and language therapy, Integrated Treatment Services could be of help. Contact us here: https://integratedtreatmentservices.co.uk/contact-us/enquiry/

Sarah Bennington July 2011

Written on behalf of Integrated Treatment Services. Integrated Treatment Services is a private Speech and Language Therapy service based in Leicestershire and the East Midlands. It specialises in providing highly-skilled Speech and Language Therapists, but also associates with other therapeutic professionals, including Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Psychologists and Arts Therapists.


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