Oral

Description:

Oral sensory problems arise due to how the muscles in the mouth function. These problems have to do with the act of eating and the way in which mouth tissues perceive sensory information of the foods that are being consumed. Some of the ways in which oral sensory problems can be seen is through: slow and inefficient chewing, gagging, vomiting, weakness in cheeks, strong reactions to certain foods and textures and coughing or choking.

Purpose

Oral sensory activities are important for learners with oral sensory problems because they can help decrease existing harmful coping mechanisms. It is also important to practice such activities to ensure that oral sensory problems slowly decrease.

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ice
Activity 9: Icing

Use an ice cube for topical application on the mouth, lips and cheeks.

Purpose

This activity helps increase sensitivity around the mouth, lips and cheeks.

  • Step 1

    Freeze some water to make ice cubes. If no freezer is accessible then buy an ice cream bar or small frozen food packets.

  • Step 2

    Take the ice cube or frozen item and place it on the hands first and then over the face, mouth, lips, cheeks.

    Keep the duration of application very short, just a few seconds and increase as they are more comfortable with the cold temperature.

lip brushing
Activity 10: Lip Brushing

Use a soft bristle small toothbrush to brush the lips, both on the outside and inside.

Purpose

This activity helps improve sensation on the lips.

  • Step 1

    Take a small, soft bristle toothbrush or a cotton earbud, if the toothbrush is unavailable.

  • Step 2

    First, without any water, brush the learner’s lips on the outside and inside gently. Then, wet the brush or ear bud and repeat gently.

  • Step 3

    Repeat activity for a few seconds with intervals and continue for a minute.

gum
Activity 11: Chewing Gum

Chew a piece of fresh gum and then give the learner another fresh piece of gum to chew.

Purpose

This activity helps develop the motion of the jaws, encourages chewing food and helps with development of speech.

  • Step 1

    Buy new, fresh chewing gum. (or substitute for any food item, which is can be chewed)

  • Step 2

    Show the learner how you put the gum in your mouth and chew.

  • Step 3

    Now have the learner do the same for as long as they find it comfortable. Repeat a couple of times every day and aim to reach five minutes of chewing each time.

candles
Activity 12: Candle Blowing

Keeping a candle at a distance, the learner is encouraged to blow at the candle and try to blow it out.

Purpose

This activity helps improve stamina and breath support for speech production and feeding.

  • Step 1

    Light a candle at a safe distance from the learner.

  • Step 2

    Demonstrate how to blow at the candle and ask them to follow. You may increase distance between learner and candle slightly as they are able to blow at it with better force.

  • Step 3

    Give the learner at least ten attempts at the activity, or till they are tired.

food
Activity 13: Eating Different Foods

Add crunchy, harder to eat foods to the learner’s diet for example: carrots, apples.

Purpose

This activity helps the learner become either more alert and engaged, or calmer and more focused.

  • Step 1

    Try adding harder foods to the learner’s diet (carrots, apples, celery sticks etc.) during meals and snack times.

    *Chewy foods (i.e., pizza crust, chewy candies) may work, too, as they provide more resistance and make the jaw really work.