Orofacial Proprioceptive Stimulation Therapy with a Palatal Memory Plate in a Baby with Down Syndrome – 2-year Follow-up Case Report

Children with Down syndrome (DS) have oral manifestations, such as hypotonia of the perioral muscles, inadequate lip seal, and tongue posture changes, which affect the development of the stomatognathic system. The palatal memory plate (PMP) is an early proprioceptive stimulation therapy that aims to improve tongue posture, promote proper lip sealing, and contribute to oral balance. This study reports the treatment of PMP in a 2-month-old baby with DS. Early intervention with PMP exhibited satisfactory results, improving hypotonia, tongue posture, and lip seal even after 2 years of treatment. This improvement was enhanced by a multidisciplinary speech therapy approach to orofacial stimulation with the active participation of caregivers. Thus, the training of qualified professionals with knowledge of the specific characteristics of patients with DS is essential for a comprehensive and systematic approach to promoting their health.