Oral Motor Tools

ARK’s Y-Chew is another great product to assist in oral exploration and to increase movement in the cheek, tongue, lips, and jaw. Use it to develop biting and chewing skills, to decrease oral sensitivities to textures, and to assist in the reduction of teeth grinding. The handle allows for an easy grip, and the extensions on the top part of the”y”make it easy to reach the upper and lower back molar area. Each arm has a different texture: one smooth, one ribbed, and one with gentle bumps. Because the Y-Chews are a non-food item, you can avoid the risk of choking while working on feeding skills. The handle measures 21/2 inches and the extensions measure 13/4and 11/4 inches respectively. Each Y-Chew is constructed of medical grade materials that are FDA compliant and contain no lead, phthalates, PVC, BPA, or latex. As with all of ARK’s products, the Y-Chew is made  in the USA. The pack consists of 4 Y Chews.

MADE in the USA out of medical grade, FDA compliant materials that contain NO lead, phthalates, PVC, BPA, or latex.

Caution: this therapeutic tool should be used under adult supervision at all times. Recommended for ages 2 and The Y-Chew can be used:

As an alternative to biting/chewing on fingers, shirts, pencils, and other hazardous non-food items
To decrease thumb-sucking, tooth-grinding, and finger/knuckle biting
To build oral strength and tolerance
To calm and soothe individuals through oral sensory input
To de-sensitize the mouth for individuals with oral defensiveness and food aversions.
For detailed exercises, check out Tips & Techniques for the Grabber Family, an instructional how-to guide written by the speech therapist behind the Grabber. Most of the exercises for the Grabber can be also be used and adapted for the Y-Chew. Chapter topics include:

How to Increase Interaction with and Acceptance of the Grabber
How to Increase Mouthing for Feeding and/or Speech Development with the Baby Grabber
How to Increase Lip & Tongue Control
How to Increase Tongue Mobility & Lateralization
How to Increase Jaw Stability and Control
How to Establish the Concept of Bite and Chew
How to Promote a Rhythmic Chewing Pattern
How to Transition from Pureed to Textured Foods
How to Decrease Toothgrinding and Finger and/or Knuckle Biting