ARK's Blog

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 …

Chew tools may seem simple at first glance, but they pack a long list of benefits. For many people, they’re a simple way to self-regulate, focus, and cope with everyday stress and anxiety. For others, they’re a tool to quit smoking or replace nail biting habits.  For others yet, they’re a go-to therapy tool to build oral motor skills like jaw strength.  At ARK, we've de …

Do bite mark indentations on every pencil sound familiar? Fingernails that are bitten down and potentially bleeding? Sleeves or shirt collars with holes in them? This is very common! Why? There could be many reasons behind chewing for both kids and adults, the main one being stress and anxiety. As we look ahead to the new school year starting next month for many kids, it's important to note that s …

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 …