ARK's Blog

Hand and finger chewing are one of the most common things we get questions about at ARK. Why? Because our hands and fingers literally go with us everywhere! For kids and adults who chew on their fingers, knuckles, or the fleshy parts of their palms, that constant availability is exactly the point - the body itself becomes the chewing outlet. In that sense, finger and hand chewing is the most strip …

Does bite marks on pens and pencils sound familiar?  Pens and pencils are among the most common items people chew on.  Chewing can help increase focus and attention, so it makes sense that a pen or pencil would be a go-to outlet.  Whether you're eight years old working through a spelling test or thirty-four years old working through a big project - a writing tool is right there as y …

Why We Think Sensory = Kids When you hear the term “sensory diet” or even just “sensory,” most people think of kids. And it’s true. Kids often need more direct sensory support because they don’t yet have the ability to recognize and meet their own sensory needs. But here’s what we don’t talk about enough. Those needs don’t go away in adulthood. …

As an Occupational Therapist, I often get the question "What are the best ways to support regulation for my Autistic, ADHD, or [insert neurodivergence here] child?" And I have to be honest. My reply is always "it depends." There is no one right way to support every single child. While there are some universal strategies that generally help, every child has a different brain, a different body, and …