Red Flags for Tethered Oral Tissue

Patrick McLean

Patrick McLean

Patrick McLean serves as Administrative Director and Co-CEO of Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center, a comprehensive pediatric therapy practice he co-founded with his wife Rose in 2014. With over a decade of healthcare business leadership, Patrick has transformed their vision of coordinated, family-centered care into a thriving multidisciplinary clinic serving families throughout Chicago. After graduating from Western Illinois University in 2004 with a Bachelor's degree in Business and Finance, Patrick developed expertise in healthcare operations, strategic planning, and organizational growth. His business acumen combined with a deep commitment to serving children with developmental needs has positioned Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center as a trusted resource for families navigating speech delays, sensory processing challenges, autism spectrum disorder, motor delays, and behavioral concerns. As Co-CEO, Patrick oversees essential operational pillars including marketing and community outreach, human resources and staff development, financial management and insurance coordination, and long-term business strategy. His leadership has enabled the clinic to expand from offering single therapy services to providing integrated physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, ABA therapy, and social work—all coordinated under one roof for maximum family convenience and clinical effectiveness. Patrick's management philosophy centers on creating systems that empower both staff and families. He has built a culture of collaboration where therapists from different disciplines communicate seamlessly about each child's progress, ensuring holistic treatment plans that address the whole child. His proudest moments come from witnessing families' journeys—from initial concerns through celebrated milestones and hard-won achievements. Beyond his professional role, Patrick brings personal perspective as a father of four children. He actively coaches his kids in various sports, enjoys creating barbecue masterpieces on his smoker, and values connection time with friends on the golf course. This balance between professional purpose and family life reinforces his understanding of the families Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center serves every day.

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AKA: Tongue Ties, Lip Ties and Cheek Ties

Firstly, tongue, lip and buccal (cheek) ties or tethered oral tissue can have a significant harmful impact on orofacial development. It can also cause issues witb sleeping, breathing and eating. Keep an eye out for these red flags. Do not hesitate to reach out for a myofunctional therapy consultation or evaluation for more information. 

Nursing: 

  • Painful nurse or shallow latch 
  • Poor weight gain 
  • Poor milk supply 
  • Reflux 
  • Clicking or smacking noise when eating 
  • Gassy  

Posture:  

  • Mouth breathing during the day and/or at night 
  • Forward head position  
  • Frequent open mouth position 

Feeding: 

  • Picky eater (resists trying new food) 
  • Slow eater 
  • Choking/gagging 
  • Messy eater 
  • Difficulty transitioning to solids 
  • Sensitivity to different food textures 

Speech: 

  • Difficulty producing R, S, Z, P, W, M or B sounds 
  • Excessive drooling 
  • Difficult to understand 

Moreover, if you have you had any of these concerns for your baby, toddler or young child, consider consulting with our myofunctional therapist about Tethered Oral Tissue. For a full assessment to determine if myofunctional therapy is right for your child.  Our therapists can be reached at 773-687-9241!

 

 

In addition, do you have an older, school age child? Check out our Therapeutic Children’s Academy and see how we can help your entire family reach their maximum potential

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