Helena Björelius

My research focuses on understanding the complex interplay between oral-motor, speech, and sensory functions in children with speech sound disorders (SSD), particularly those referred for differential diagnosis of oral and speech motor disorders. These children often present with heterogeneous profiles, including motor speech disorders (MSD), oral motor developmental delay (ODD), and language-oriented disorders (LD).

Key areas of interest include:

• Oral-motor function beyond speech, with a specific focus on chewing efficiency and its developmental trajectory in children with MSD.
• Sensory processing profiles and their impact on participation in daily activities and compliance with speech and language interventions.
• Risk indicators across medical, developmental, oral-behavioural, and hereditary domains that contribute to atypical oral-motor and speech development, aiming to improve early identification and intervention strategies.