1. Introduction   

1.1. The importance of speech pathologist neurodiagnosis     
1.2. Development of reflexive oral responses in the prenatal period    
1.3. Normative oral reflexes and their evolution    
1.3.1. The reflex reaction of sucking and swallowing     
1.3.2. The rooting reflex (Rittig reflex)     
1.3.3. The phasic bite reflex reaction    
1.3.4. The reflexive reaction of opening, protruding, and closing the lips  
1.3.5. The reflex vomit reaction (retching, pharyngeal)  
1.3.6. The pushing reflex 
1.3.7. The jaw reflex     
1.3.8. Licking/protrusion reflex reaction    
1.3.9. Lateral reflex reaction   
1.4. Anatomical and resting conditions of the oral system in newborns and infants  
1.4.1. Breathing and resting postures of the oral system  
1.4.2. Feeding position  
1.5. Specifics of oral reflexes in newborns and infants with Down Syndrome and cytomegalovirus   
1.5.1. Down Syndrome   
1.5.2. Cytomegalovirus  

2. The aim of the study     

3. Research methods and material     

3.1. Characteristics of the group of studied newborns and infants     
3.2. Group of children with Down Syndrome and a group of children with CMV   
3.3. Research methods    
3.3.1. Evaluation of anatomical conditions and resting postures of the oral system     
3.4. Methods and stimulation techniques used  
3.4.1. Myotherapy 
3.4.2. N.A.P. Manual Therapy 
3.4.3. Feeding Position Control     
3.4.4. Shantala Massage  
3.4.5. R. Castillo Morales’ Method     
3.4.6. Kinesiology Taping    

4. Results   

4.1. Pathologies in primitive neonatal oral reflexes   
 4.1.1. Sucking and swallowing reflexes    
 4.1.2. Gag reflex   
 4.1.3. Biting reflex   
 4.1.4. Lips’ reflexes   
 4.1.5. Jaw reflex    
 4.1.6. Licking reflex    
 4.1.7. Pushing reflex   
 4.1.8. Lateral reflex     
 4.1.9. Rooting reflex     
4.1.10. Resting postures of the tongue, lips, and jaw    
4.2. Abnormalities in the execution of reflex oral reactions caused by anatomical defects  
4.2.1. Difficulties with oral function in children with Down Syndrome    
4.2.2. Oral difficulties in a child with cytomegalovirus   
4.3. Effects of stimulation of disrupted reflex oral reactions   
4.3.1. Therapeutic approach in tongue-tie (ankyloglossia)     
4.3.2. Sucking and swallowing reflexes    
4.3.3. Phasic bite reflex    
4.3.4. Gag reflex    
4.3.5. Lips reflexes: opening, protrusion, opening and closing     
4.3.6. Resting postures of the oral area: lips, jaw and tongue     
4.3.7. Rooting reflex      
4.4. Selected issues of oral difficulties in children with Down Syndrome and cytomegalovirus     
4.4.1. Disorders of oral reflexes in children with Down Syndrome    
4.4.2. Disorders of oral reflexes in children with CMV     

5. Discussion   

5.1. From diagnosis through stimulation to feeding   
5.2. The importance of the pre-oral phase and the sequential execution of reflexes and food intake   
5.3. The essence and maturation of sucking and swallowing  
5.4. Sucking and alternative feeding    
5.5. Resting postures of the jaw, tongue, and lips as an introduction to proper air intake    
5.6. Other oral reactions: examination and oral responses   
5.6.1. The rooting reflex     
5.6.2. Phasic bite reflex   
5.6.3. Gag reflex     
5.6.4. The pushing reflex     
5.7. Feeding positions     
5.8. The importance of ankyloglossia in food intake as the most common anatomical defect    
5.9. Compensation and reflex dependencies    
5.10. Disorders of oral reflexes in children with Down Syndrome       
5.11. Oral reflex disorders in children with CMV     

6. Conclusions       

7. Final words     

Appendix. Primitive neonatal oral reaction examination chart     

Reference    

List of tables and graphs  

Abstract