Marshalla Oral-Sensorimotor Test (MOST)
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An assessment designed to put a numerical value on oral movement, oral-tactile sensitivity, facial and oral tone, respiration, phonation, and resonation.
about the test
The Marshalla Oral Sensorimotor Test (MOST) is a comprehensive and quick assessment designed to put a numerical value on oral movement, oral-tactile sensitivity, facial and oral tone, as well as basic respiration, phonation, and resonation skills. The MOST is the first exam to allow speech-language pathologists an opportunity to place a numerical value on the oral exam.
details
The MOST is available exclusively through Super Duper Publications. The test can be purchased alone or with other materials as part of a kit.
Learn more at Super Duper's website →
- Testing Time: 15-30 minutes
- Criterion-referenced scores for ages 4;0 to 7;11
- MOST Kit contains: Examiner's manual, test easel, 30 Record Forms, 30 Case History Forms, all the oral-motor supplies to give the test, and a sturdy tote bag.
Read answers to the most frequently asked questions about the MOST.
Watch and learn with the MOST demonstration video.
look inside
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clients
The MOST is designed to identify jaw, lip, and tongue movement problems in children with articulation and phonological delay or disorder. It is optimal for children with concomitant feeding difficulties, neurological deficits, developmental disorders, and sensory processing disorders. Appropriate for children four years and older.
scoring
The MOST provides an Overall Oral Sensorimotor Score as well as individual scores on subtests. Scores can be used to measure pre- and post-treatment abilities in test areas. This easy-to-use evaluation allows the therapist to identify strengths and weaknesses in the following areas:
- Jaw Movements
- Lip Movements
- Tongue Movements
- Oscillating Jaw, Lip, and Tongue Movements
- Oral and Facial Tone
- Respiration and Phonation Skills
- Resonance
- Oral-Tactile Sensitivity
Read a detailed message from Pam about the MOST's scoring system here.
subtests
The subtests of the most allow the examiner to look closely at individual areas of speech motor control.
- The Motor Function subtests of the MOST are designed to identify a client's control of jaw, lip, and tongue movements and praxis through 21 simple probes.
- The Sensory Function subtest measures the client's responses to incoming tactile stimulation to various areas inside and outside of the oral cavity using multiple textures in 8 simple probes.
- The Respiration and Phonation subtest provides a child-friendly examination of basic respiration and phonation skills using kazoos and whistles.
- The Resonation subtest allows the examiner to put a numerical value of the characteristics of hyper- and hypo-nasality.
- The Oral and Facial Tone subtest provides two simple procedures for specifying muscular tone in the face, lips and tongue.
contents
The MOST kit includes an examiner's manual, test easel, 30 Record Forms, 30 Case History Forms, all the oral-motor supplies to give the test, and a sturdy tote bag. Large illustrations on the test easel are a beautiful guide provided for the therapist to use as a model for each test item.
report-writing
Speech-language pathologists often write general observations about respiration, phonation, resonation, and oral movement. The MOST allows speech-language pathologists to provide scores to back up their claims. Examples are offered in the table below:
| Test Area | Typical Report Statement | MOST Report Statement |
| General Oral Movement | "John did not move his oral mechanism well." | "John achieved a score of 5/21 on the Motor Function subtest of the MOST, indicating very poor control of jaw, lip, and tongue movements." |
| General Oral Movement | "John didn't seem to have any problems moving his mouth." | "John achieved a score of 21/21 on the Motor Function subtest of the MOST, indicating excellent control of jaw, lip, and tongue movements." |
| Oral-Tactile Sensitivity | "John did not like to be touched around his mouth." | "John achieved a score of 1/8 on the Sensory Function subtest of the MOST, indicating limitations in his ability to tolerate tactile stimulation to the oral mechanism." |
| Tongue Movement | "John demonstrated poor control of tongue movement." | "John scored 2/8 on the Tongue Function subtest of the MOST. He failed all items related to tongue placement." |
| Respiration | "Breath support was questionable." | "John scored 1/9 on the Respiration and Phonation subtest of the MOST. He failed all tests of basic skill in inhalation and exhalation." |
| Resonation | "John appeared hypernasal." | "John scored 1/5 on the Resonation subtest of the MOST. He was hypernasal on vowels and fricatives, and he demonstrated nasal bleed across phonemes." |
valid and reliable
The MOST research study sample is made up of 160 children, ages 4;0 to 7;11 from across the United States. Data from this sample is the basis for the five subtests and the four section of the Motor Function subtest.
extended kit and supplies
The MOST kit includes an examiner's manual, test easel, 30 Record Forms, 30 Case History Forms, all the oral-motor supplies to give the test, and a sturdy tote bag. Large illustrations on the test easel are a beautiful guide provided for the therapist to use as a model for each test item.
Oral Motor Supplies included within the kit: 12 Toothettes, 12 Rapper Snappers, 12 Whizzers, 12 Kazoos, 12 Storage Bags
