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ARK Textured Grabber® Sensory Chew

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$10.49
A safe outlet for anyone who needs to chew Also a staple oral motor / feeding therapy tool for working on jaw strength, biting & chewing skills, and more Loop makes it easy to hold Long extension makes it easy to reach the back molars Available in 3 color-coded toughness levels Made in the USA See full details below

P shaped chew tool with added bumps for extra sensory input|||ARK's Textured Grabber® is an oral motor chew tool with 3 different surfaces to chew on: one smooth, one with circular bumps, and one with rectangular bumps.  As a chew tool, sensory seekers LOVE the extra sensory input from the added texture.  As a feeding therapy tool, these textures simulate the feel of actual food for realistic non-food chewing practice.  They can also help desensitize the mouth, decrease oral defensiveness/aversions, and transition individuals with sensory issues from puréed to textured foods. 

Just like the original smooth Grabber, the Textured Grabber has an easy-to-hold loop and a long extension to reach the back molars.  Use it as a safe alternative to chewing on one's hands, shirts, pencils, etc.  It can also be used as an oral motor therapy tool to practice biting/chewing skills without the risk of choking, build jaw strength and stability, and exercise the mouth muscles.  

Like all ARK chews, the Textured Grabber aka "Grabatex" comes in 3 color-coded toughness levels:

  • Soft / Standard (Magenta or Red) - recommended for mild chewing, individuals with low oral tone, or individuals with limited jaw strength just learning to bite and chew.  These are the softest ones with the most “squishiness” and “give” to them.
  • XT / Medium Firm (Lime Green or Teal) - XT stands for "Xtra Tough."  These are firmer, but still fairly chewy.  Recommended for moderate chewers.  Or, individuals working on building jaw strength can eventually "graduate" from the soft to the XT.
  • XXT / Very Firm (Royal Blue or Forest Green) - XXT stands for "Xtra Xtra Tough."  These are the most firm and provide the most resistance to the jaw.  No chew tool is indestructible, but these are very tough / the longest lasting option for avid chewing.  The Y-Chew XXT is usually the overall longest lasting chew for most avid chewers.

Made in the USA  Made in the USA by ARK Therapeutic.  Medical grade, FDA compliant, NO lead, phthalates, PVC, BPA, or latex.  Each Grabber® is sold individually - choose which option you'd like from the pull-down menu above.  Exact color hues may vary slightly.

Caution Caution: This product is not a toy.  Although these chew tools are sturdy and durable, no chew tool is indestructible.  Wear/tear may be expected given the nature of the intended use.  How long they last is typically equal to the amount and intensity of the chewing, as well as other variables (such as jaw strength, stress/anxiety levels, if other sensory strategies are in place, etc.).  While for some people a chew tool will last forever, for others with heavy/aggressive oral needs, they may go through it very quickly.  Please supervise at all times, regularly inspect the chew, and replace if necessary if the item shows signs of wear and tear.  

 

Features
  • With its patented P shape design, the Grabber® features a "built-in" handle that makes it easy for the hand to hold.
  • While all surfaces can be chewed on, the long extension allows individuals to reach the back molar area where we do most of our chewing.
  • The Grabber® measures 5 inches lengthwise, just under 2 inches across the loop/handle, and half an inch thick.
  • Comes in 3 color-coded toughness levels for mild to moderate to avid chewing needs.  Those with low oral tone / limited jaw strength can also start with the softest one and progress to the XT to gradually build jaw strength (XT is firmer and provides more resistance)
  • Made in the USA
The Story

The Grabber was one of ARK's very first inventions!  18 years ago, this solution was inspired by one of Debbie's therapy kiddos.  He was chewing through several shirts a day, and his mother was struggling to find a safer (and less expensive) alternative for him to chew on.  

To meet this oral sensory need, Debbie and her husband John (a mechanical engineer) decided to develop ARK's Grabber.  Although they still debate which one of them came up with the clever P shape design, one thing's for sure: the built-in loop handle makes it easy for kids through adults to hold, and the long extension reaches the back molar area for proprioceptive feedback to the jaw and masseter muscle - where it's needed most.

Debbie quickly realized that the Grabber could also be used as a non-food oral motor device to practice chewing, jaw work, tongue lateralization, and more.  The Grabber has since been successfully used by speech, feeding, and occupational therapists worldwide to improve oral motor skills.  Click on the "Therapy Video" tab above to watch Debbie explain one such exercise.