Lori L. Overland

Lori Overland is a highly respected speech-language pathologist with over 45 years of clinical experience. She holds certifications in neurodevelopmental treatment (C/NDT), is a certified lactation counselor (CLC), and a Fellow in Orofacial Myology (FOM). Lori’s expertise lies in addressing pediatric feeding disorders, with a specialized focus on infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children.

Lori has recently joined Essential Pediatrics, an interdisciplinary practice that provides comprehensive evaluations, treatment, and intensive, family-centered feeding therapy programs. She works with families globally, offering in-depth consultations, re-evaluations, and tailored therapy plans. Lori also serves as a consultant to school districts and early intervention programs.

Lori holds degrees from Hofstra University and Adelphi University. She is deeply committed to advancing the field of pediatric feeding therapy. Alongside Robyn Merkel-Walsh, Lori co-
founded Mouths in Motion Mentoring, a program dedicated to guiding and mentoring the next
generation of speech and feeding professionals.

Areas of Specialization:

• Oral sensory-motor and feeding disorders
• Tethered oral tissues (TOTs)
• Orofacial myofunctional therapy
• Down syndrome and complex developmental profiles
• Adapted baby-led weaning
• Family-centered intervention models
• Lori is a Level 5 TalkTools® Instructor and an ambassador and guest lecturer for The Breathe Institute.
• Lori is trained in PROMPT, OPT and Beckman.
• She has received multiple ACE awards from ASHA for her commitment to continuing education, and has been honored by both the IAOM and the Connecticut Down Syndrome Association for her clinical work.

Publications and Research Highlights:

• A Sensory Motor Approach to Feeding
• Functional Assessment and Remediation of Tethered Oral Tissue (TOTs)
• Clinical Perspective on Post-Operative Care to Tethered Oral Tissue (TOTs)
• A Sensory-Motor Approach to Adapted Baby-Led Weaning

Professional Engagements:

• Lori is a nationally and internationally recognized speaker. She has presented at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), the International Association of Orofacial Myology (IAOM), the American Academy of Physiological Medicine & Dentistry (AAPMD), and many other conferences.
• Her presentations focus on a sensory motor approach to feeding, TOTs, Down syndrome, mitigating drooling, and the correlation between what you see in the body and what you get in the mouth.

Professional Affiliations:

• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
• International Association of Orofacial Myology (IAOM)
• Oral Motor Institute (Board Member)
• The Breathe Institute (Ambassador & Guest Lecturer)
• Connecticut, Long Island, and New York State Speech-Language-Hearing Associations (CSHA, LISHA, NYSSLHA)
• International Consortium of Ankylofrenula Professionals (ICAP)