The Oral Motor Measurement Scale (OMMS) is an assessment instrument that was developed by Kennedy Krieger Institute (USA) to quantify oral motor and swallowing function during inpatient rehabilitation following acquired or traumatic brain injury. 

It is used with children as young as 2 years of age through young adulthood, post-brain injury.

Background

The OMMS was developed for serial administration to track recovery and assess outcome during inpatient rehabilitation.

Target Users

  • Occupational Therapists
  • Speech and Language Therapists

Key Goals

  1. Assess oral motor function at admission to assist with treatment planning/goal setting
  2. Track recovery over inpatient rehabilitation
  3. Assess oral motor function at discharge

How the Tool is Used

The OMMS includes 7 items that address oral motor skills including solid foods, liquids, eating by mouth, tongue lateralization, chewing pattern, secretion management, and functional meal speed. 

OMMS administration time is between 10 to 30 minutes and can be completed during a meal observation.  Items score range from 1 to 5; the total score ranges from 7 (floor) to 35 (ceiling).  OMMS items are rated based on clinical observation and performance on specific task.  Chart review and/or self/family report can be used if direct observation cannot be completed.

Key Outcomes

  1. Improves understanding of the function of oral motor and swallowing musculature, at all levels of functioning, throughout inpatient rehabilitation to assist in initial goal setting
  2. Allows for systematic, detailed tracking of oral motor and swallowing function and recovery by comparing each child to that child’s own functioning earlier in admission.  This informs ongoing treatment planning and evaluates interventions on the basis of early trajectory of recovery
  3. Early scores predict later outcomes to allow for better prognostication and to inform discharge planning
  4. Use by inpatient treatment team members promotes clarity and consistency in description of oral motor and swallowing deficits which facilitate communication among team members, patients, and families and facilitate interdisciplinary team process
  5. Enhances programmer evaluation; used in conjunction with other benchmarks to ensure a facility’s brain injury population is making adequate progress during admission