Karin Ernst MS CCC-SLP
Karin Ernst grew up in Germany and studied at the University of Cologne where she graduated in 1997 with a Master’s Degree in Speech Language Pathology and Special Education. In 2003 Karin and her family moved to the United States and since then reside in Reston Virginia.
Working with both children and adults that experience myofunctional, voice and speech problems, Karin strives to make therapy an enjoyable experience for her patients and their families.
After moving to the United States, Karin has obtained the Certification of Clinical Competence (CCC) by the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) and holds a dual-license for Virginia and Maryland. She went on to complete the requirements to become the first Certified Orofacial Myologist (COM) in VA through the International Association of Orofacial Myology (IAOM).
Karin earned the ASHA Award for Continuing Education (ACE) 3 years in a row, reflecting her personal effort to continue professional learning beyond an academic degree.
Karin Ernst holds the distinction of being a Certified Orofacial Myologist™/Myofunctional Therapist by the International Association of Orofacial Myology (IAOM), an accomplishment granted only to a small percentage of professionals practicing orofacial myofunctional therapy. She connects oral health with physical health and collaborates with airway centered professionals through the Sleep and Airway Team.
Orofacial Myology is one key piece in the treatment of sleep apnea. New research available supports the role of Orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea, sleep disordered breathing, ankyloglossia, and temporomandibular joint disorder.
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy is re-education and re-training of the oral and facial muscles. Therapy includes exercises to:
Restore a normal resting posture of the tongue and lips
Teach proper chewing and swallowing patterns
Improve nasal respiration
Establish dental freeway space
Address harmful oral habits like thumb and finger sucking, nail biting, and/or tooth grinding
Untreated Orofacial Myology Disorders (OMD) can result in:
Improper dental eruption patterns and dental alignment
Long term mouth breathing patterns that compromise overall healthy breathing
Slowing down orthodontic treatment and/or undermine the stability of orthodontic treatment
Speech distortions: difficulties with /s, z, sh, ch, j, t, d, n, l, and/or r/
Professional Associations
American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA)
Board member of the American Academy of Private Practice in Speech Pathology and Audiology (AAPPSPA)
International Association of Orofacial Myology (IAOM)
Academy of Orofacial myofunctional Therapy (AOMT)
Location
441 D Carlisle Drive
Herndon VA 20170