Not Chewing Soft Foods?
Posted by Debra C. Lowsky, MS, CCC-SLP on 14th Aug 2013
Question: My 2.5 year old daughter has down syndrome. She has had feeding issues since birth and we are trying to work with her on chewing. She will bite and chew crackers and other hard foods, but will swallow soft things whole. We are working with a speech therapist as well as an occupational therapist, but they do not have a lot of experience with the grabbers, and other bite tool
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Tips for Toothbrushing with Oral Defensiveness
Posted by Debra C. Lowsky, MS, CCC-SLP on 25th Oct 2012
Oral defensiveness falls into two main categories: HYPOsensitivity and HYPERsensitivity. Individuals with hyposensitivities have low oral tone and very little awareness of what's going on inside their mouths. This "oral numbness" so to speak can cause anxiety and fear when it comes to toothbrushing. On the other hand, individuals with hypersensitivities are overly conscious of
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Gum Massage for Oral Stimulation
Posted by Debra C. Lowsky, MS, CCC-SLP on 6th Jan 2012
Gum massage is a simple yet effective way to provide oral stimulation to a large surface area within the mouth. This tactile input can:
• help
decrease oral aversions for hypersensitive individuals
• help
increase oral awareness for hyposensitive individuals
• help decrease
drooling, mouth stuffing, and/or the need the chew
• be very cal
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