Categories
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An Overwhelming Need to Chew(Post)
Question: Hi Debbie - I work at a school for children who have special needs. I serve a lot of students (many tube-fed) who really crave oral stimulation to the point that it is difficult to g
Food Aversions & Spoon Feeding Issues(Post)Question: Hi, I have a toddler who is almost 2 years old, have sensory processing disorder. He also has feeding aversion. and super sensitive to texture & taste. Some goals I am looking to ac
Improving a Weak Suck(Post)I am looking for suggestions for our 2-year-old son with epilepsy. He currently functions at a 6 month level. He can eat by mouth (only stage 2 or 3 baby foods), but lacks a suck. He can swallow
Bite Reflex While Toothbrushing(Post)Question: My 12 year old son has severe Tourette syndrome, and sensory issues. Recently, he's developed a "biting" tic. He bites down HARD on anything he puts in his mouth. Brushing his teeth
Feeding Issues from Reflux(Post)Question: I’m seeking help for our son. The short story is that my son was born at 25 weeks and was in the nicu for 3.5 months and has overcome many things. When he left the nicu he was always a
Teaching the Concept of Biting and Chewing(Post)For infants, learning how to bite and chew is a crucial stage of feeding development. At approximately 5-6 months of age, babies begin using their fingers and mouths for oral exploration using a bite
Understanding Food/Oral Aversions and How to Help(Post)Mealtime should be one of the easier parts of the day. For some families, it's the hardest one. Maybe your child clamps their mouth shut the second the spoon comes near. Maybe they gag at the sight of
Using Gross Motor for Oral Motor - How Trunk Turning Exercises Can Improve Tongue Lateralization(Post)Tongue lateralization is the ability to move the tongue from side to side inside the mouth. It's an important skill for feeding therapy and development, as the tongue lateralizes in order to manip
Tips for Toothbrushing with Oral Defensiveness(Post)Oral defensiveness falls into two main categories: HYPOsensitivity and HYPERsensitivity. Individuals with hyposensitivities have low oral tone and very little awareness of what's going on inside t
What Supporting Neurodivergent Brains Actually Looks Like(Post)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 i
5 Fun, Playful Oral Motor Exercises for Kids(Post)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 pla
How to Help Kids Stay Regulated through the Holidays(Post)The holidays are often filled with excitement, tradition, and togetherness, but they can also feel overwhelming for kids. Extra noise, changes in routine, new places, and busy schedules can make it ha