ARK's Blog

For some kids, gloves can be scary.  The rubbery feel, the unfamiliar smell and taste, the strange look (where did your hands go?!), and the squishy sound they make - these are all possible triggers for a sensory overload. I have some kids who absolutely won't allow me to go near them with gloves.  So I just have to wash my hands thoroughly before and after therapy.  And that's …

I'm looking for advice.  My nephew 5 years old, has Autism and cognitive delays.  He doesn't speak at all; he just makes noises like he is "singing" to himself (although not with any specific tune), cries when he doesn't get what he wants, and tugs at someone's clothes if he wants to go out or eat something. Very, very rarely, he could suddenly say "No" or "Bye Bye," but very inconsis …

Are there any tools, workbooks, etc., I can buy to help my mother who has problems with her speech?  She is in the moderate-severe stage of dementia. This problem began a few months ago.  She is active and mobile with a walker.  This new development is causing her to experience frustration and has resulted in her talking less.  She lives with me, and while I have some help c …

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 you feel the height difference in your jaw? It needs to open just a little bit for "eeee," but wider for "oooh." Or, imagine taking a bite out of a thin cracker versus a burger - there's a big difference …