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Debbie's Blog

How to Teach Straw Drinking

Posted by Debra C. Lowsky, MS, CCC-SLP on 9th Nov 2011

1.  To start, cut a regular straw in half.  Not only is a shorter straw easier to handle, but it also takes less strength for a child to suck liquid from a shorter straw. 2.  Dip t … read more

Tongue Lateralization and Protrusion

Posted by Debra C. Lowsky, MS, CCC-SLP on 27th Sep 2011

Question:  Do you have a tool to increase tongue protrusion and tongue lateralization? We do!  ARK's  Oro-Navigator was specifically created to help individuals "get" the conce … read more

Oral Defensiveness & Aversions

Posted by Debra C. Lowsky, MS, CCC-SLP on 2nd Aug 2011

Oral defensiveness falls into two main categories: HYPOsensitivity and HYPERsensitivity: . •  Individuals with hyposensitivities have low oral tone and very little awareness of what's goin … read more

Strengthening Mouth Muscles

Posted by Debra C. Lowsky, MS, CCC-SLP on 8th Jul 2011

My daughter's speech therapist suggested we have my daughter sip thick liquids (i.e. yogurt, chocolate pudding, etc.) through a straw to work on strengthening mouth muscles.  I have not been a … read more

Jaw Grading & Stability

Posted by Debra C. Lowsky, MS, CCC-SLP on 17th Jun 2011

Jaw grading is the ability to visually judge how far you need to open your mouth to take a bite out of certain foods and to say certain speech sounds. For example, say "ooooo" versus "aaahh" - can … read more