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 …

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 …

Oral motor intervention can be a valuable tool in speech and feeding therapy, but it requires a skilled, systematic approach to support proper orofacial function and development. If you are interested in oral motor therapy but aren’t sure where to start, you’re not alone! ARK is excited to share with you these ten considerations for skilled oral motor intervention to guide your practi …