Ep. 78: "Tongue-Tie: What Every Parent & Professional Should Know with Autumn Henning, MS, CCC-SLP, COM, IBCLC"

What should parents and healthcare professionals really know about tongue-tie? In this episode of Airway Answers, Nicole Goldfarb interviews Autumn Henning, MS, CCC-SLP, COM®, IBCLC, one of the leading educators in tethered oral tissues (TOTs), infant feeding, and orofacial myofunctional disorders.Together, we explore how to evaluate tongue-tie across the lifespan, what makes an infant feeding evaluation unique, why function matters more than anatomy alone, and how thoughtful interdisciplinary care can improve outcomes for both children and adults. Autumn also shares her insights on therapeutic readiness before a frenectomy, post-release care, common misconceptions about tongue-tie, and what every parent and healthcare professional should know.In this episode, we discuss: Tongue-tie • Tethered oral tissues (TOTs) • Infant feeding • Breastfeeding • IBCLC • Orofacial myofunctional disorders • Myofunctional therapy • Therapeutic readiness • Frenectomy • HOPE Healing Protocol • Airway health • Interdisciplinary care⸻CHAPTERS0:00 Meet Autumn Henning, SLP, COM®, IBCLC0:33 Autumn’s Background and Clinical Specialties1:52 Autumn’s Bio and Areas of Expertise4:35 How Autumn Became Passionate About Tethered Oral Tissues (TOTs)9:45 The Oral Function Trifecta & Becoming an IBCLC16:11 What Happens During an Infant Tongue-Tie Evaluation?34:05 Jaw and Tongue Mechanics During Breastfeeding37:00 Tongue-Tie vs. Other Breastfeeding Challenges38:56 Why Lip Ties Rarely Exist Without Tongue-Ties40:45 Evaluating Tongue-Tie Across the Lifespan42:11 Preparing for a Successful Tongue-Tie Release45:46 Aftercare and the HOPE Healing Protocol1:02:13 Busting Common Tongue-Tie Myths1:06:12 Autumn’s Courses & Where to Learn More⸻👍 If you enjoyed this episode, please Like, Subscribe, and share it with colleagues interested in airway health and orofacial myofunctional therapy.💬 What surprised you most about this conversation? Leave a comment below—we would love to hear your thoughts and questions!🔔 Subscribe to the Airway Answers YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@AirwayAnswers🎧 Prefer to listen? Subscribe to the Audio Podcast:https://airwayanswers.buzzsprout.com/2408017/follow⸻About Autumn HenningAutumn R. Henning, MS, CCC-SLP, COM®, IBCLC, is a Speech-Language Pathologist, Certified Orofacial Myologist®, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, educator, and founder of Chrysalis Orofacial in Greenville, South Carolina. She specializes in evaluating and treating tethered oral tissues, infant feeding, swallowing, and orofacial myofunctional disorders across the lifespan.Autumn also serves as a voluntary Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Kentucky College of Health Sciences and was a founding board member of the International Consortium for Oral Ankylofrenula Professionals (ICAP).Through her internationally recognized continuing education programs—including TOTS® (Tethered Oral Tissues Specialty Training), Plot the TOT®, The STONES Approach®, and the E3 Model of Care®—she has educated thousands of healthcare professionals worldwide, emphasizing functional assessment, critical clinical reasoning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and evidence-informed care.⸻About Nicole GoldfarbNicole Goldfarb, M.A., CCC-SLP, COM®, is a Speech-Language Pathologist, Certified Orofacial Myologist, international speaker, educator, podcast host, and founder of the San Diego Center for Speech & Myofunctional Therapy.⸻🌐 Airway Answers:www.AirwayAnswers.info🏥 San Diego Center for Speech & Myofunctional Therapy:www.SanDiegoCenterForSpeechTherapy.com📩 Email:[email protected]📘 Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565074499503📸 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/sandiegospeechandmyotherapy/🎵 TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@airway.answers⸻#TongueTie #InfantFeeding #AirwayHealth#Breastfeeding #IBCLC #MyofunctionalTherapy #TetheredOralTissues #TOTs #Frenectomy #AirwayAnswers⸻⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical or dental advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding diagnosis or treatment. Reliance on the information presented is at your own risk. Mention of specific providers, products, or services does not constitute an endorsement.