How the E3 Model of Care® Improves Speech and Feeding Outcomes
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
If you are working with speech or feeding challenges and feel like progress sometimes stalls, you are not alone.
Many clinicians are trained to treat isolated symptoms such as articulation errors, picky eating, or oral motor weakness. But sustainable outcomes often require something deeper: a framework that connects airway, structure, function, and behavior.
That is where the E3 Model of Care® comes in.
Developed through clinical experience and interdisciplinary collaboration at Chrysalis Orofacial, the E3 Model offers healthcare professionals a practical way to move beyond surface-level therapy and toward whole-patient care.
What Is the E3 Model of Care®?
Short definition:The E3 Model of Care® is a clinical framework that integrates airway-centered assessment, orofacial function, and interdisciplinary collaboration to improve speech and feeding outcomes.
Rather than focusing only on what a patient cannot do, E3 helps clinicians understand why those challenges exist and how to address them at the root.
Why Traditional Approaches Often Fall Short
Speech and feeding difficulties rarely exist in isolation.
A child who struggles with articulation may also have restricted tongue mobility.A patient with feeding aversions may be compensating for airway instability.A client with slow progress may be working against structural or functional barriers that have never been evaluated.
Without a comprehensive lens, therapy can feel fragmented.
The E3 Model was designed to bridge those gaps by helping clinicians assess patterns across systems instead of treating symptoms in silos.
In Simple Terms
Instead of asking:
“How do I fix this sound?”or“How do I get this child to eat?”
The E3 Model asks:
What is driving this challenge in the first place?
By looking at breathing, oral posture, tethered tissues, and functional movement together, clinicians can create treatment plans that support lasting change, not just temporary improvement.
The Three Pillars of the E3 Model
The E3 framework is built around three connected phases that guide clinical decision-making.
Evaluate
Evaluation goes beyond standard oral motor exams.
Clinicians assess:
Airway and breathing patterns
Oral rest posture
Tongue mobility and coordination
Feeding mechanics
Speech production
Structural influences
This comprehensive approach helps uncover compensations that often limit therapy progress.
Educate
Education is essential for both clinicians and caregivers.
During this phase, providers explain:
How airway and oral function influence speech and feeding
Why certain habits impact development
What families can expect during therapy
When caregivers understand the “why,” carryover improves and treatment becomes more effective.
Execute
Execution is where knowledge becomes action.
Here, clinicians apply:
Targeted orofacial exercises
Functional feeding strategies
Airway-supportive habits
Interdisciplinary referrals when appropriate
Treatment becomes coordinated, purposeful, and measurable.
How the E3 Model Improves Speech Outcomes
Speech therapy is far more effective when underlying barriers are addressed.
Through the E3 framework, clinicians often see improvements in:
Articulation clarity
Oral motor coordination
Resonance
Stability of progress after discharge
By supporting airway and oral function, therapy is no longer working against compensatory patterns.
For additional clinical guidance, professionals can reference evidence-based resources from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
How the E3 Model Improves Feeding Outcomes
Feeding challenges are frequently connected to functional limitations that go unnoticed.
The E3 approach helps identify contributors such as:
Restricted tongue movement
Poor oral sensory awareness
Inefficient breathing during meals
Weak oral seal or bolus control
When these factors are addressed together, feeding therapy becomes safer, more efficient, and more sustainable.
Practical Steps for Clinicians
Here’s how you can start integrating E3 principles into your own practice:
1. Expand your evaluation lens. Include airway, oral posture, and tongue mobility in every speech or feeding assessment.
2. Watch for patterns. Look for mouth breathing, fatigue during meals, jaw compensations, or inconsistent speech progress.
3. Collaborate intentionally. Partner with dentists, ENTs, lactation consultants, and bodyworkers when needed.
4. Treat functionally. Choose exercises that support real-life tasks rather than isolated skills.
5. Educate families. Help caregivers understand how oral function and breathing impact therapy success.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the E3 Model different from traditional therapy?
E3 focuses on root causes by integrating airway, structure, and function into every treatment plan.
Is the E3 Model only for pediatrics?
No. While commonly applied in pediatric care, E3 principles can support patients across the lifespan.
Can SLPs implement E3 independently?
Yes, although outcomes improve when clinicians collaborate with dental and medical professionals.
How does airway affect speech and feeding?
Restricted breathing patterns can impact oral posture, endurance, coordination, and sensory regulation.
Where can clinicians learn how to apply this model?
Advanced clinical application is taught through specialized professional trainings.
Ready to Apply This Clinically?
If you are ready to move from assessment to confident treatment planning, TOTS Training® builds directly on the E3 Model of Care®.
This advanced training gives you:
Structured airway-centered assessment strategies
Real clinical case walkthroughs
Treatment planning frameworks
Downloadable tools and resources
Live expert Q&A
Designed for SLPs, OTs, dentists, and healthcare professionals who want practical guidance for complex orofacial, speech, and feeding cases.
👉 Explore TOTS Training® and elevate your clinical impact.
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