Page 10 - Polite-yawning_manual for SLPs

THE POLITE-YAWNING TECHNIQUEPostoperatively, as mentioned, teaching the polite-yawning technique (in the medical literature also called the “Nasal Airflow Inducing Maneuver” or “NAIM”) should start with testing the sense of smell, which can be done at or around the time oral intake has resumed. The polite-yawning technique contains the following elements:• The mandible and the floor of mouth must be moved downwards;• The tongue must follow and descend downwards from the palate;• The lips must stay closed;• The movements must be exerted in a relaxed and repetitive way;• Breathing should not be in sync with the movements, but should continue in a calmtempo, independent of tongue, floor of mouth, and mandible movements;• The movements should be carried out with as little effort as possible.You should make sure that the soft palate also stays relaxed during the movements, otherwise the nasal passage might be blocked and there is no chance of creating an orthonasal airflow.