Drinking Through a Straw

Use a straw to drink water, juice or any other liquid from a glass.

*Disclaimer: Caution with food allergies and the learner’s oral motor skills as these foods may be a choking hazard in some cases. This activity should be done under constant supervision.

PURPOSE

This activity uses the sucking motion while drinking from a straw to provide strong sensory input which may be calming for the learner. It provides good foundation for eating and speech skills

• Step 1

  Cut a regular straw in half. A shorter straw is easier to handle and takes less strength for the learner to suck liquid up from.

• Step 2

  Dip the straw into a liquid that the learner enjoys (i.e., juice, ice water). Place the tip of your index finger over the top of the straw to keep the liquid in the straw. Remove the straw from the cup, keeping the top of the straw covered with your fingertip.

• Step 3

  Place the straw on the learner's lips, slightly tilted down (so that if you release your finger, the liquid will flow into the mouth).

• Step 4

  Remove your fingertip, allowing the liquid to flow into the learner’s mouth. The goal here is for the learner to comprehend that they are getting liquid from the straw.

• Step 5

  Once the learner understands the idea of getting liquid from a straw, instruct them to close their lips around the straw. When the lips are closed around the straw, release your fingertip for the liquid to come out. Pinching the lips together may help.

• Step 6

  Once the learner is able to close their lips around the straw with ease, it is time to work on sucking liquid from the straw. Place the straw just inside the mouth without releasing your fingertip from the top of the straw. When a sucking response is initiated, release the liquid. Quickly repeat so the learner understands the idea of continuous sipping.

• Step 7

  As an extension, experiment with thicker textures like milkshakes and even applesauce to make sucking more challenging.