ARK's Blog

While many kids outgrow grinding their teeth, intervention may be necessary if they don't.  Tooth grinding over a prolonged period (especially with permanent teeth) may put them at risk for worn-down teeth, tooth sensitivity, jaw pain, headaches, etc.  There is no one accepted reason as to why it happens, but there are several factors that may be contributing to the problem: . . …

I can't stress enough the importance of homework exercises.  With consistent practice, children progress through their speech/feeding goals noticeably if not significantly faster.  For example, I recently saw a child with an L distortion in a private school. She was four-years-old, and I knew the parents were very conscientious about her development.  After providing a tactile cu …

ARK's Z-Vibe and Z-Grabber offer a vast range of possibilities for tactile learning and oral sensory motor stimulation.  Lots of different optional tip attachments are available for these tools for specific uses.  Just untwist whatever current tip you're using and twist in any other tip (so the same handle can be used for multiple different goals from feeding therapy to gum mas …

For some kids, gloves can be scary.  The rubbery feel, the unfamiliar smell and taste, the strange look (where did your hands go?!), and the squishy sound they make - these are all possible triggers for a sensory overload. I have some kids who absolutely won't allow me to go near them with gloves.  So I just have to wash my hands thoroughly before and after therapy.  And that's …