ARK's Blog

The holidays are often filled with excitement, tradition, and togetherness, but they can also feel overwhelming for kids. Extra noise, changes in routine, new places, and busy schedules can make it harder for children to stay regulated. If your child seems to melt down more easily, cling a little tighter, or struggle with big feelings this time of year, you're not alone. The good news is that with …

Why Does the Z-Vibe Work? Most of us are either visual or auditory learners. But when these two senses are not enough, you may need to physically direct the articulators for certain speech and feeding skills.  ARK's Z-Vibe® is an ideal tool to help you do so. Therapists (and trained caregivers) can use it to provide targeted tactile cues within the oral cavity to teach tongue el …

Evidence tells us that engaging play in therapy yields better outcomes, and oral motor therapy should be no exception! My top priority in therapy is that my patients and I build trust while having playful, meaningful sessions to reach our goals! Oral motor therapy can be overstimulating, especially at the start of therapy, so I wanted to share a few of my fun-based ideas that I incorporate into fe …

Chew tools may seem simple at first glance, but they pack a long list of benefits. For many people, they’re a simple way to self-regulate, focus, and cope with everyday stress and anxiety. For others, they’re a tool to quit smoking or replace nail biting habits.  For others yet, they’re a go-to therapy tool to build oral motor skills like jaw strength.  At ARK, we've de …