Myofunctional Therapy
ADHD & Attention Difficulties
Sleep and breathing can play an important role in a child's daytime focus, behavior, and overall well-being. Sleep-disordered breathing and other airway-related concerns may contribute to disrupted or poor-quality sleep, which can affect attention, mood, and daytime functioning. Myofunctional therapy addresses oral and breathing patterns that may contribute to these concerns and can be part of a comprehensive approach to improving healthy breathing and sleep.
The connection between airway health and attention is well-documented but often overlooked. When the airway is obstructed during sleep — due to mouth breathing, low tongue tone, or enlarged tonsils — the brain is deprived of the restorative sleep it needs to regulate attention, impulse control, and emotional processing. The result can look identical to ADHD.
Common Signs & Symptoms
- Difficulty concentrating or staying on task
- Hyperactivity or restlessness, especially in children
- Irritability and mood swings
- Daytime sleepiness despite adequate time in bed
- Bedwetting beyond typical age
- Restless sleep or frequent waking
- Mouth breathing during sleep
- Snoring or observed pauses in breathing
The Airway–ADHD Connection
Research published in peer-reviewed journals has found that children with sleep-disordered breathing are significantly more likely to exhibit ADHD-like behaviors — and that treating the airway can reduce or eliminate those behaviors. A 2012 study in Pediatrics found that children who had their tonsils and adenoids removed showed dramatic improvements in hyperactivity and inattention. Myofunctional therapy works at the muscle level to keep the airway open, complementing surgical and medical interventions.
How Mouth Breathing Affects the Brain
Chronic mouth breathing reduces nitric oxide production, lowers blood oxygen saturation, and fragments sleep architecture — all of which impair the prefrontal cortex functions responsible for attention, working memory, and impulse control. Children are especially vulnerable because their brains are still developing. Restoring nasal breathing through myofunctional therapy can meaningfully improve cognitive and behavioral outcomes.
What Therapy Involves
Kathleen designs a personalized program of tongue, lip, and breathing exercises that strengthen the airway muscles and establish nasal breathing as the default. Sessions are engaging and appropriate for children as young as four. Parents are coached to support home practice, and progress is tracked at each visit. Many families notice improvements in sleep quality — and behavior — within the first few weeks.
A Complementary Approach
Myofunctional therapy is not a replacement for a proper ADHD evaluation or prescribed treatment. It is a powerful complement — addressing the airway component that is frequently missed in standard ADHD workups. Kathleen collaborates with pediatricians, ENTs, sleep specialists, and behavioral therapists to ensure a comprehensive care plan. A free 15-minute phone consultation is the first step.
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Kathleen McQuestion offers a free 15-minute phone consultation. Reach out today to learn how myofunctional therapy can help you.