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Why Chewing Matters: How Chew Tools Support Sensory Needs

Why Chewing Matters: How Chew Tools Support Sensory Needs

31st Jul 2025

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 …
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Sensory Tools for a Calmer Classroom

Sensory Tools for a Calmer Classroom

8th Jul 2025

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 …
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Goodbye Sippy Cups, Hello Straw Cup!

Goodbye Sippy Cups, Hello Straw Cup!

Posted by Rachel Lynn, SLP, Amber Michelle, PT, and Amanda Rae, OT on 14th Feb 2025

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 …
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10 Essential Tips for Skilled Oral Motor Therapy: Expert Considerations

10 Essential Tips for Skilled Oral Motor Therapy: Expert Considerations

Posted by Stephanie Feero, MS, CCC-SLP on 15th Nov 2024

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 …
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