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One area that often impacts children with sensory processing disorder is oral motor function. Using oral motor tools can be an effective strategy to support children with sensory differences, enhancing their oral motor skills and providing them with the therapeutic benefits.
Oral motor tools are designed to stimulate and strengthen the oral muscles used in activities such as feeding, drinking and speaking. These tools may include different textures, shapes and colors which can make them more appealing to children. Sensory oral motor tools can serve as a dual purpose providing sensory stimulation and helping with oral motor development. Oral motor tools can range from a textured sensory chew item to a more complex device that encourage different oral movements.
Children with sensory difficulties can experience challenges with oral motor control which may cause difficulties in chewing, swallowing or articulating speech. These challenges can lead to frustration, decreased participation in mealtimes and difficulties in social situations. There are many different oral motor activities for children. Your child's OT can include some of these activities in your child's sensory diet.
Oral motor development is the use and function of the lips, tongue, jaw, teeth, and the hard and soft palates. Symptoms that your child is hyper-sensitive (oral sensory avoiding) would include dislike brushing their teeth, having their face washed or they are usually very picky eaters especially with different food textures.
Oral motor tools can provide tactile and proprioceptive input which can help a child improve oral awareness. This sensory input can help organize their responses to sensory input and improve their sensory processing skills.Oral motor tools such as sensory chew tools can help strengthen oral motor muscles which is very important for chewing and speech. When a child uses these oral motor tools they develop better control and coordination in their oral movements.
Many children with sensory differences may struggle with verbal communication. Using oral motor tools can help improve the motor planning needed for speech and help with clearer articulation. Using sensory oral motor tools can provide a calming experience for some children. These oral motor tools can help a child with self-soothing, reduce their anxiety and improving focus during different activities.
Children who struggle with sensory processing disorder often seek out or have aversions to different sensory input. These tools support children who crave oral sensory input or have oral sensory aversions by giving them an option. Some parents may notice that using oral motor tools during mealtimes can often lead to increased willingness to try new foods.
When selecting oral motor tools for children with sensory processing disorder, you have to consider different options and your child's occupational therapist or healthcare provider can tell you which oral motor tools are best for your child and their sensory needs.
Chewy tools are designed to strengthen jaw and oral muscles while providing a safe outlet for chewing. Necklaces and bracelets made from food-grade silicone can be worn throughout the day, offering sensory input and a safe chewing option. Using straws in fun ways can promote lip closure and suction skills while making drinking enjoyable. Z-Vibe or similar oral motor tools are vibrating tools that encourage oral exploration and can be effective in oral stimulation and improving awareness.
For children with sensory processing disorder, oral motor tools can play an important role for oral motor skills and sensory processing development but with any therapeutic tool, it is very important to always consult with a healthcare professional such as an occupational therapist or speech pathologist for recommendations that are based on your child's needs. Not all sensory tools are for every child. Your child's OT will include which oral motor tools would work best for your child's sensory diet and their sensory needs.
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DISCLAIMER: I have learned a lot over the years but I am still learning. Always do your own research and exercise sound judgment. I am not an occupational therapist or a physician. I am an adult who has sensory processing disorder, a sensory parent and a Grandma. The information on this website is not medical advice and does not replace the information that your child's therapists or medical professionals give you. These are just ideas that I have learned myself over the years of being a parent and an adult living with SPD. If you are concerned for your child, please always seek medical attention through a family doctor, pediatrician or therapist. This website is for awareness and support purposes only. Each child is different and what works for one child may not for another because all children have different sensory needs. Please always consult with a professional.
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