ARK's Blog

Let’s kick off the New Year with new workout goals for the kids! Oral Motor Edition! Oral motor strength and coordination is essential for supporting safe mealtimes, nutritional intake, and independence in feeding. Here are some fun exercises that can help build the oral motor skills needed for chewing, drinking, swallowing, and overall feeding success — all with the help of the Z-Vibe …

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 …

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 …

Learning to drink from a straw is a developmental milestone that can support a child's oral motor skills, providing key benefits for feeding, swallowing, and even the muscles that help produce speech. For young children, particularly those with weaker oral motor skills or a weakened ability to suck, making the transition to straw drinking can be a challenge. In a world where baby development and …