The Institute of Myofunctional Studies is a full service treatment center for oral motor needs, focusing on deviated swallows, the basis for most dental, speech, feeding issues, and for early language development.
Patients of The Institute of Myofunctional Studies ranging from infant to adult have found Myofunctional Therapy in partnership with their orthodontist, dentist, speech pathologist, occupational therapist, physical therapist and physician to be the solution for their oral motor issues.
The Institute of Myofunctional Studies is located in a large facility featuring thoughtfully designed treatment spaces and easy access to better accommodate their continuously growing roster of clients.
The Institute of Myofunctional Studies acts in accordance with The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy Rule. This act protects the privacy of individually identifiable health information to protect and improve patient safety.
The Institute of Myofunctional Studies was founded by Sharon Wexler who has worked in the field since 1974. Most recently, speech pathologist Karen McQueen, who also works with language, has also joined the team. Sharon and her team have over 60 years of combined experience treating patients who have irregularities in their speech and/or swallowing pattern. In addition to administering Myofunctional Therapy, the Institute is engaged in developing better oral techniques, as well as researching and developing new technology to aid in the measurement and tracking of patient progress.
Sharon Wexler has been a speech-language pathologist and Myofunctional therapist for over 42 years. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Ohio State University in Speech and Hearing therapy. From there Sharon went on to obtain a Masters of Medical Science from Emory University in speech-language pathology and learning disabilities, and trained at the Institute of Myofunctional Therapy with advanced clinical internships.
Sharon’s extensive knowledge in Myofunctional therapy techniques and oral motor has allowed her to have a better understanding in approaching speech production, eating mechanics and related medical disorders. She treats patients as young as infants to adults. Her strongest skills are with patients with oral apraxia, Down Syndrome, Autism and cleft lip and palate. She also has knowledge in working with both PROMPT and Beckman techniques.
Sharon is passionate about the fields of Myofunctional therapy and oral motor and enjoys every opportunity to share her knowledge with other graduate students and professionals. Her goal is to make the Institute of Myofunctional Studies a teaching facility in expanding these techniques in the area of speech. She has an extensive understanding of how sensory integration and overall body posture and movement impacts on the function of the mouth and the role they play in conjunction with her treatment. As a result she works on a regular basis with other professionals in occupational therapy, physical therapy, and biomedical therapy.
As a published author, Sharon has had the opportunity to lecture to professional and parent groups in the United States, as well as, Europe. Her creative interests include writing on topics related to the benefits of Myofunctional therapy, creating better methods for delivering therapy to patients, and developing better oral appliances to improve oral mechanics.
Sharon’s unique combination of skills is in high demand with a diverse set of patients with special needs throughout the United States and numerous countries abroad. When she has the opportunity Sharon enjoys traveling, spending time at the beach and reading, the theater, cooking, playing Mahj Jongg and getting together with friends and family.