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Home About Rosemarie & Introduction Site Map Contact | |
About Rosemarie: |
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 Certified Orofacial Myologist, Rosemarie Van Norman attended specialized training in the field of orofacial myology with numerous researchers and practicing clinicians throughout the United States as well as courses offered through the University of Utah and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She became a board certified member of the International Association of Orofacial Myology (IAOM) in 1976. ABOUT THE IAOM She is a member of the IAOM Board of Examiners and instructor for the IAOM, ASHA (American Speech-Language Hearing Association) and AGD (Academy of General Dentistry) approved courses on the evaluation and treatment of orofacial myofunctional disorders and digit- (thumb- or finger) sucking habits Training Courses.
Rosemarie has a private practice in Omaha Nebraska and has 35 years experience working with oral facial myofunctional disorders and literally thousands of individuals to help them discontinue their digit-sucking habits through her highly successful motivational program of positive behavior modification. She has presented at many dental, medical, speech and teaching conferences throughout the United States and has authored numerous papers that have been published in the International Journal of Orofacial Myology. Contemporary Pediatrics published her paper, "Why we can't afford to ignore prolonged digit sucking", in its June 2001 edition. Rosemarie also authored the book, Helping the Thumb-Sucking Child, published by Avery Publishing Group in 1999, which received outstanding reviews in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Journal of Dental Hygiene, ASHA Leader (Official publication of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association), Booklist (Official publication of the American Library Association) and Chicago Parent. How to Order the Book, Helping the Thumb-Sucking Child.
She was interviewed for the articles, A Hard Habit to Break: Thumbsucking, published in Parents Magazine, April 2003 edition and Dealing With an Older Thumb Sucker, which appeared in the March 2008 edition of Parenting Magazine. Her program to help digit-sucking children has been the subject of several newspaper articles published in the Omaha World Herald as well as on various Omaha television programs. She also appeared as a guest on the nationally broadcast television program, The View.
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Introduction |
I began working with youngsters with digit- (thumb or finger) sucking habits thirty-five years ago in Dr. Laren Teutsch's pediatric dental practice. Dr. Teutsch was a wonderful, caring professional who truly embraced the concept of preventive dentistry. We were introduced to the method of positive behavior modification for the elimination of digit-sucking habits at a continuing education seminar and I was given the assignment to set up and provide treatment in our office. Initially, the program was reasonably successful with some children, while others would slip back into their old habits after a few weeks or months. What was the problem? Why was this behavior so persistent in some children and not in others? I searched the literature and was already doing much of what it recommended. I concluded the only way to learn about the behavior and its remediation was to conduct my own research through clinical observation. Little by little, through trial and error, patterns began to emerge. I discovered that the digit-sucking behavior was far more complex than I had realized. In addition, I learned that parents were having difficulty coping with the problem because the information available to them was often confusing, erroneous and inadequate.
There is hope! Over the years, the thousands of parents and children with whom I have worked have given me the clues to direct my search for solutions and to comprehend and unravel the mystery of the prolonged digit-sucking activity. The program that has evolved is based on a thorough understanding of the whole
behavior and is highly successful. 90% of the children, who participate in this program, discontinue their sucking habits QUICKLY, WITHOUT COERCION and in a FUN and POSITIVE way!
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The Motivational Program to Eliminate Prolonged Digit Sucking
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A professionally trained, third-party can make an enormous difference towards helping children discontinue their digit- (thumb or finger) sucking habits through positive behavior modification. This special motivational program is designed to address---all aspects---of the sucking activity to help children eliminate the behavior quickly and without coercion. Constant reminding, nagging, critical and/or punitive attempts to eliminate the habit often compound the problem and stimulate more sucking. See Why Many Children Need the Help of a Trained Professional to Eliminate Digit Sucking
Rosemarie's program generally involves five appointments including a weekly visit for three weeks, a six-week and a six-month recheck visit. The goal is to help children in a fun, POSITIVE way so they benefit not only in their dental and speech development, but also in their own self-esteem and self-confidence. 90 percent of the children, who participate in this program, are successful, with most discontinuing the sucking activity immediately after the first appointment! |
What is the Parent's Role in the Treatment Approach? |
Parents are delighted and amazed because they do not have to police or enforce their child's compliance with this program. Their role is simply one of an empathetic and positive support system, which enhances the parent/child relationship and eliminates the conflict between child and parents that is so common regarding this behavior. Parent Comments Post-Treatment |
When is the Best Time to Initiate Treatment? |
Timing is a very important consideration for successful treatment. It makes sense to help youngsters overcome their digit-sucking habits as soon as possible because there is often a noticeable improvement in developing dental and speech problems. And because children become very emotionally dependent on the activity to relieve stress, the longer the behavior persists, the more difficult it is to overcome. However, it is important that emotional and intellectual development are sufficient to enable the child to succeed with the task, minimize frustration, and facilitate effective communication and motivation. This development is generally adequate at age five. Child Development: An Important Consideration & Cognitive and Emotional Development of Preschoolers
Because stress is a significant stimulant for the sucking activity, careful deliberation must be given to picking a time to eliminate the habit when child and parents are not experiencing excessive stress or change in their lives. Normal events such as the arrival of a new sibling, a family move, starting kindergarten or a new school are just a few examples of situations that can create anxiety. A well-trained professional can help parents determine, based on the individual child's stage of development, what types of situations can create excessive stress that might preclude successful treatment.
Treatment to eliminate thumb- or finger-sucking habits is best initiated soon after the child reaches the age of five, prior to the arrival of permanent teeth, and, ideally---before---the start of kindergarten to avoid the development of other detrimental oral habits as well as learning and socialization problems related to the behavior Digit Sucking and Related Learning and Socialization Problems
For More Information Contact:
Rosemarie Van Norman, COM
CERTIFIED OROFACIAL MYOLOGIST
7701 Pacific St., Suite 101
Omaha, NE 68114
Office hours by appointment
(402) 333-3701
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Parent Comments Post-Treatment |
"We were skeptical when beginning your program, but felt it was worth a try considering we had tried everything else and it was affecting his school work and development. We are amazed and pleased at the results especially how quickly he responded. He is extremely proud of himself! Thank you!" N. Schmader
"Our daughter was avoiding social situations and feeling bad about herself. She is now more upbeat, easygoing and can't wait for her next invitation to a sleepover. I definitely wish I had known about your program sooner. You somehow empower these children to make the choice to quit sucking their own. Thanks so much for sharing your gift and making our child happy!" D. Giebler
"My nine-year-old daughter's habit seemed so strong I thought only dental appliances would work. Then when that didn't work, I thought we used the wrong dentist. I am so grateful my daughter's school counselor recommended your program. We were amazed that she quit sucking on the first day! The money we spent on your program was well worth it." C. Abraham
"I am so grateful that we were referred to you by our pediatrician. We had tried various approaches to ending the sucking habit including participation in a behavior modification program with a psychologist. My son was not successful in ending his thumb-sucking habit until he met you. Thank you!" K. Norwell
"Four times wire was inserted into the roof of my son's mouth to stop the habit. The first day he met Rose he stopped sucking. Thank you for your sweet, kind method of speaking with my son. It made all the difference." S. Howe
"I wish we would have had this program four or five years ago so that my daughter would not have had to go through all the guilt, anxiety and pain of the other methods we tried." C. Losey
"Rose's program is a very fast acting positive program and our daughter is so proud of herself and (most importantly) has become a different little girl. She is with us now, not zoned out sucking her thumb. We have a lot more fun and a lot more conversation. Thank you so much Rose - you gave me back my little girl." M. Nolan
"Your program is the first step I recommend for children with sucking habits and speech problems. It's been great because the speech problems often self correct once the sucking habit is eliminated." S. Jones, SLP
"I read an article about how it could affect her grades in school. Now her teeth look so much better and she got her report card today and reading went from a C+ to a B+ and A's in her other subjects." J. Learch
"I wish doctors and dentists were more aware of your specialty. For years we had been asking for guidance and help with our daughter's habit and, until we moved to Omaha and learned of your program, we had never heard of anyway to really help her. The usual," she'll grow out of it" was the common advice we received. We are so happy to have had your expertise to guide us on something that is so important to our daughter and us. Thank you for caring so much about all the kids and parents that need you so much!!" M. Martin
"I am amazed at what a difference a third party can make! I am certain that I would not have had the same success if I had tried the same program on my own. Thanks so very much for all your love and support." K. Martin
"Extended family members and friends who knew how serious her sucking habit was were blown away when they learned that she quit sucking the first day after seeing you! It would be great if people could learn of this program before trying other methods. What an incredible program! Thank you!" S. Schererman
"Thank you so much for all of your encouragement. I just wish we would have come to you sooner. Two of the most important aspects of your program which really helped us the most were you being a third party in this situation and always having the necessary consistency." M. Carlson
"We had tried and tried to get our 9-year-old daughter to quit the thumb habit and we were all very frustrated. Immediately after the first visit she stopped sucking! Her self-esteem and confidence has increased so much! We are so grateful that there is a program like this out there!" A. Salerno
"I cannot say how much I appreciate what you have done for our son. Not only did he stop sucking his thumb the first day, he also said good-bye to his blankies that have been with him since birth! His attitude and self-confidence shot through the roof. The conversations we have are fabulous because his thumb is not in the way! I am amazed and very grateful to Rose for her work with our son." S. James
"Our son's sucking habit was completely intractable and he was very frustrated, ashamed and felt powerless to stop. It was amazing to see him overcome his very entrenched habit without a huge struggle - he's very happy and proud of overcoming his habit." K. Boes
"Your program is well beyond kicking the sucking habit! The self-esteem and confidence you give is beyond belief! Thank you!" D. Larson
"Rose, thank you for your help and support with our boys and their thumb-sucking habits. They have such fond memories of going through your program! Thank you, thank you for helping us help them in such a loving way!" J. Diesing
"We truly feel blessed to have found you. Our son has truly gained so much self-confidence and sense of accomplishment because of you and your program." K. Roberts, M.D.
v"I so wish I had known of your work long ago. My daughter had been sucking her fingers for over 10 years. To have her give up this habit is just fantastic." D. Klitz
"Rose's program motivated our daughter to want to quit sucking her thumb, something we were not able to do. She was enthusiastic about every aspect of the program. It is a positive, well organized method that makes sense." E. Bremers
"The program is incredible. After the first appointment our son never sucked again! I cannot believe he quit so fast - no relapse - we all couldn't be more pleased!" M. Belcastro
"When we left your office after the first appointment, our daughter hasn't sucked since. This has been an exciting, fun and above all positive experience. Our daughter is so proud of herself - a big boost to her self-esteem. Many, many thanks." L. Beaver
"This is the most unique, positive behavioral method I've ever seen. The results are amazing." K. Sorrell
"The end result is exactly what we hoped for. I love the focus of the program being the child deciding to stop and the parent's roll is simply to encourage, not nag. Thank you very much Rose!" S. Frost
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