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Aubrey's Oral Motor Journey

Posted by Guest Blogger Elizabeth from This Little Home of Mine on 17th Feb 2020

This wonderful guest blog comes to us from Elizabeth at This Little Home of Mine. When our oldest daughter was almost five months old, we received confirmation that Down Syndrome would be part of her story. In this post, we're excited to be partnering with ARK Therapeutic to share some of the tools that have accompanied us along the way. After learning of our daughter's diagnosis, I immedia …
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Oral Motor Staples for Babies Who Have Down Syndrome

Posted by Debra C. Lowsky, MS, CCC-SLP on 10th May 2017

Question:  Hello!  About 1 week ago my husband and I got a confirmed diagnosis of Down syndrome for our upcoming baby girl.  I want to help my little flower as much as possible and start as soon as possible!  What tools are recommended for starting at an early age?  We are very excited to help our little girl be the best she can be and we want to start right away if i …
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When Kids Think Feeding Utensils Are Food

Posted by Debra C. Lowsky, MS, CCC-SLP on 13th Apr 2017

Question: I work with a child who has Down Syndrome. She is 16 months old. She presents with open mouth posture and tongue thrusting not during feeding. Mom purchased a Z-vibe and I saw your article on using the Z-vibe to promote lip closure. Only problem is....anytime we go near her mouth she thinks the item is food and tries to open her mouth and touch her tongue with it. She does not yet u …
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Straw Drinking Prerequisite - Tongue & Jaw Dissociation

Posted by Debra C. Lowsky, MS, CCC-SLP on 2nd Jun 2016

Question:  I'm working with a client who has Down syndrome.  She can't differentiate her tongue from her bottom lip when drinking from a straw.  I've tried having her drink from a straw using a Lip block to see if that helps, but the tongue still just takes over everything.  Any ideas? . . I always recommend getting children on straws (ideally with …
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