Proper lip closer, straw drinking, and ARK Therapeutics GIVE AWAY

When Ellie Bear was transitioning off of a bottle, we [we being the collective of myself, Andrew, and therapists] immediately implemented the straw cup.  Our thoughts were "most places have straws, but none have sippy cups".  Ellie started to drink rather quickly from a straw which was really quite impressive given the fact that most children Down syndrome have low muscle tone or hypotonia.  This means that the muscles of her tongue, lips, cheeks, and jaw muscles have low tone and difficulty coordinating.

Until recently, I never really paid attention to how she drank from her straw cup.  Ellie was inhaling the entire straw.  Not only that, she was not achieving lip closure, which is very important for not only drinking but also for speech sound production!  Rather than pursing her upper and lower lips around the straw, she was using her tongue as a base; a substitute for her lower lip.  This meant the straw was going into her mouth more than 3/4 inch!  Ellie also likes to bite the straw which can be quite a pain as it cracks both the cheap restaurant straws and the thicker plastic straws.  Girlfriend has quite the bite! Ellie is also unable to obtain proper lip closure around those narrow, tiny straws that you see with juice boxes and Capri Suns (think coffee-stirrer-type straws).  Her tongue would protrude and the juice would dribble down her chin and all over her clothes.

It is difficult to see but her tongue is supporting the straw.
The straw is also pretty far into her mouth.

For the past month, we started implementing the Lip Blok through ARK Therapeutics.  This company provides a wide variety of sensory and feeding materials for children.  Yes, chewy tubes!  The bear cup! Various feeding spoons!  Here is where I tell you: I was contacted by ARK Therapeutics to write a review on one of their products.  Knowing that Ellie needed help drinking from a straw, I chose the One-Way Straw with Lip Blok Kit.  While I am not being paid monetarily to write this post, I did receive the Straw Lip Blok Kit for free to write a review on it.  The opinions in this post are entirely my own.

At this point, you are probably wondering what a Lip Blok is.  It is this:

Essentially lovely thing prevents the child from pulling the straw too far into the mouth.  It encourages the rounded lip closure using the bottom and upper lip.  It discourages tongue thrusting by forcing the tongue to retract back into the mouth/oral cavity. It also prevents the dreaded straw biting and thus straw cracking/breakage. It is advised to start at 3/4-inch and then decrease to 1/2-inch and further to 1/4-inch.

The kit also came with 3 straws that have a one-way valve and clips.  Ellie was adamant that we use the yellow straw because yellow is awesome by Bear standards.

During speech therapy, we placed the straw into Ellie's mouth and marked where her lips were hitting the straw.  It measured at ~ 3/4 inches, which was the size of our Lip Blok.  We inserted Lip Blok into the straw and let her get used to it.  Now that she has gotten the hang of it, we have swapped it out for the 1/2-inch Lip Blok.  This requires Ellie to work a little harder at getting her tongue, lips, and cheeks into the correct position for drinking.  She is fighting me a bit, but it is slowly getting easier for her.  After she masters the 1/2-inch, we will then move on to the 1/4-inch Lip Blok.

My Review of the ARK Therapeutic 3-Straw Clip with Lip Blok Kit

Pros:

• The straws have little clips on the side of them so that you can clip it to an open cup.  This prevents the straw from slip-sliding around.
• The Lip Blok is BPA-free, Lead-free, phthalates-free, and PVC-free
• The Lip Blok is also latex-free which is a big deal for me since I have a latex allergy.
• The Lip Blok very easy to toss into my purse or the diaper bag.  It is nice to not have to lug a cup around.
• The Lip Blok fits into regular straws that you find at restaurants--just insert the long end into the straw.
• The Lip Blok also fits swirly straws--slide the long end of the Lip Blok over the swirly straw.
• The Lip Blok is also dishwasher safe. . .  did you hear me?  Dishwashers safe!  
• ALL the products by ARK Therapeutics are easy on the wallet.  Honestly, wish I found them earlier when I was scavenging for chewy tubes.  I would have saved myself a pretty penny!
• ARK Therapeutics has great customer service.  See below.

Cons:
This is not actually about the product, but the way the directions and website are worded.  I requested the ARK's One-Way Straw Clip Assembly.  The description says:


ARK's Straw Clip helps manage difficult situations by holding the straw securely to the cup. Assembly includes: 3 one-way straws with a built-in valve, 3 Straw Clips, and 1 Lip Blok™. Colors may vary.


I received the 3 straws with clips and the 1 Lip Blok.  When I read the directions, they said that I could trim the Lip Blok using a scissors.  It even showed a pictorial diagram of the scissors trimming the Lip Blok. I thought that was pretty doubtful as the Lip Blok I received was really firm.  The directions discussed starting off at 3/4 inches then trimming to 1/2 inch and eventually ending up at 1/4 inch.  Needless to say, I was unable to trim the Lip Blok and partially massacred it in the process.

Apparently, there are various types of Lip Bloks offered from ARK Therapeutics--flexible Lip Bloks and firm Lip Bloks. The Flexible Bloks can be trimmed.  The Firm ones, cannot.  This did not seem very clear to me.  The customer service reps at ARK Therapeutics explained this to me and were kind enough to send me Lip Blok 3-sized Hierarchy Kit.  They arrived very promptly in the mail and I was able to start Ellie on the 1/2-inch Lip Blok immediately.

Therefore, if you decide to purchase any of the Lip Bloks or kits that include Lip Bloks, read very carefully and do not hesitate to contact customer services with questions.

She actually doesn't need my help holding the cup or the straw. . .
I am just trying to prevent her from dumping the water out.

ARK Therapeutics is offering Ellie Bear's readers a 10% off all products through June 15, 2014.  Be sure to enter coupon code ELLIEBEAR10 at the check out to get your 10% off!

Additionally, they are sponsoring a giveaway this week for the Every Lip Blok Combo which includes 3 sizes of Lip Bloks [1/4, 1/2, 3/4-inch] plus two flexible Lip Bloks that can be trimmed to any length [see link below for details about the product].  To enter, please answer in the comments below "What are the therapy goals are you and your child working on this summer?  The give away ends at Midnight CST on Sunday May 11, 2014.  http://www.arktherapeutic.com/ELBL100AR.html

Happy Easter and GIVE AWAY WINNER!

Clearly this little Bear forgot to wear her KidCompanion.

This winner for the KidCompanion Give Away is  CHRISS!!!!!

ChrissMarch 27, 2013 at 10:42:00 PM CDT

These look great! If we won, ruder would like the blue circle with a 20" colored necklace. Maybe this will help to save his poor little thumb he insists on gnawing raw.

Chriss, please send me your mailing address to
thechroniclesofelliebelliebear@yahoo.com

so that Ryder can receive his blue circle chewelry necklace.

Mouth, Chew, Bite: Kid Companion Chewelry and Give Away

The above picture may not look exciting to many of you, but to me, it is a symbol of how far my Ellie has come.  Two months ago, the above would not have happened.  Two months ago, I would not have strayed far enough from my daughter to take a picture of her while playing with chalk.  I would have sat right with her, practically on top of her, ready to whisk that chalk away before she devoured an entire piece.  Or box. of chalk.

"Why this blue positively makes my eyes 'pop'!"

Pink and blue, her personal favorites.


It isn't just the chalk.  Ellie's consumption of non-edible items extend to crayons, paper, the tips of colored pencils, and markers.  Yes, markers and by that, I mean the tip as well as biting through the plastic.  All of our board books display teeth imprints.  Most of Ellie's clothing has little holes along the collars from where her pointy teeth have poked through.  Then there is the mouthing.  The mouthing of blocks, Little People toys, balls, balloons (dangerous!), and any toy in general.

Ellie has sensory processing disorder mainly with oral seeking tendencies.  Everyone has some sensory issues, but Ellie's affect her ability to function as a little girl--she has trouble playing and she has difficulty interacting with friends.  I have frequently heard "Ellie ate my chalk!" and "Ellie, we don't want to play with you because you chew our toys".  As a mama bear, I want to cry.  I want to shelter her and place her in a protective bubble.  I want to yell at the kids even though they are correct-she does eat their chalk and toys.  However, I know that none of that will solve anything.  Ellie needs to have her oral cravings satisfied, but not at the expense of her social life.

I was recently contacted by KidCompanions Chewelry to see if one of their products would help Ellie and her intense mouthing, chewing, and gnawing.  They graciously sent one of their necklaces for Ellie to try.  I was a bit skeptical.  Would Ellie actually wear this thing around her neck? Would she actually chew it?

Go back and look at the top photo--Yes, Ellie is actually wearing her KidCompanion necklace AND she is not eating chalk.  She is. . . drawing with it!

Do you see?!  There is no chalk around her mouth!

As a parent, here are the characteristics that I like about the KidCompanions Chewelry Necklace:

• I am going to state the obvious here: it is a necklace!  As in worn around the neck.  As in my daughter can attempt to throw it and it is still there.  She can keep it in her mouth and still use both of her hands to manipulate toys or torment the dog.  When she lets it drop out of her mouth, it is still there.  What all of this means is: it does not get lost! (they also have clip-on options as well, but Ellie is a fashionista and needed the necklace)

• It is safe.  It has a break-away type clasp in the back.  If Ellie decides to yank on it or it happens to get caught on a piece of play equipment or a jealous child tries to steal it, the necklace clasp opens and does not choke my beautiful little girl

• It is latex-free.  Since I am allergic to latex and I have to handle this necklace, this is a big pro.  It is also free from lead, BPA, PVC, and Phthalates.

• Is is top-rack dishwasher safe.  I love that.   The Chunky Chicken is a rough and tumble kind of girl.  She plays in the sand, mud, puddles (when Texas actually gets rain), paint, and mulch. Sometimes, some warm soap and water just doesn't cut it. 

• The pendant is extremely durable.  Ellie bites and when she does, it is HARD.  This thing has stood up to some serious gnawing and biting.  Plus, this mama bear no longer has beautiful bruises of various colors decorating her arms and Ellie Bear no longer has red, excoriated sores on her thumbs from gnawing.

• Ellie is not a big fidgeter (she is more of a climber), but I am.  I am always grabbing my earring or rubbing my fingers along my necklace.  I am someone who needs to keep my hands busy.  This pendant has a little dot in the middle (Ellie's is red) that is a different texture.  It is perfect for rubbing your fingers over.

Here is what Ellie likes:

• It is pink and red.  Her two favorite colors. . .she got to pick her colors. 
• Circle vs. Heart
• Color choices: white, black, pink, yellow, green, blue
• Lanyards--length of 18" or 20, hand-dyed or undyed organic cotton 
• If Ellie had her choice, she would own all of them because this girl likes to accessorize
• She can chew on it and not get into trouble
• She can have it in her mouth and still use her hands
• She can wedge it relatively far into her mouth to get the molars and not choke or gag
• She thinks she is hot stuff wearing a necklace.

"Look Ma at my stunning new necklace!  I feel pretty oh so pretty!"

KidCompanions has offered to give away one of their Chewelry necklaces or clip ons to a The Chronicles of Ellie Bellie Bear reader.  To enter, you must be a resident of the United States or Canada.  Please leave a comment to this post that includes the necklace you would like if you win--heart/circle, color, length of lanyard, dyed or undyed.  Winner will be drawn at random on Saturday March 30, 2013.

www.kidcompanions.com

https://www.facebook.com/kidcompanions

*In writing this post, my daughter Ellie received a free Chewelry necklace from KidCompanions for her review. The views and opinions stated in this post are entirely of my own.*

Ellie's Chewy Necklaces, Chewelry, and What is that around her neck?!

"What is that in her mouth?!"

one and two and three little chewy tubes!
"What do you mean there is something in my mouth?"
(Top Right: how adorable is that picture?--Ellie with Jack-A-Roo holding hands)

Many of you may have noticed in previous posts that Ellie is wearing one or two or seven brightly colored stretchy necklaces and have asked me what they are for and where to get them.  These necklaces are therapeutic chewy necklaces or chewelry which are used to satisfy Ellie's oral sensory cravings.

These necklaces are great for children who:

• chew on their clothing
• chew on their hair
• chew on objects, toys, furniture
• frequently bite, chew, grind teeth, or fidget
• typically seen among toddlers
• kids with autism, ADHD, ADD, Sensory Processing Disorder [SPD]
• and other developmental or neurological disorders
• need to "wake up" their oral motor muscles for eating

I have written a more detailed post on the various chewy tubes for oral aversion, oral seeking, increasing oral motor muscle strength, and speech development.  These posts can be found here and here.

Ellie has extensive oral seeking behaviors.  She must always have something in her mouth.  She typically has toys, books, paper, writing implements, and even the edges of furniture in her mouth.  She is attempting to satisfy some oral need and she is not teething.   These behaviors have affected her play and they have affected her socially.

"Ellie, we don't want to play with you anymore.  You chew on our toys."  "Ellie ate my book!"

Believe me, I understand because these other kiddos are past the eating chalk stage.  They are past gnawing on toys.  Yet, my daughter is still in that stage and is destroying their toys or at the very least leaving a long string of spittle on their dolls or blocks.  Antibodies anyone?

So you mean biting the playground equipment is not socially acceptable?

The chewy necklaces have really helped Ellie.  She can chew on her necklace while listening to a book.  Yes, she can listen to a book now!  She can chew on it while building a block tower.  She can chew on it while coloring.  Now, mind you, she does need reminders occasionally because those crayons or that playground equipment look(s) oh so tasty.  Yet, all you have to say is "Ellie, use your chewy" and she pops that necklace right into her mouth.

Ellie is a thrower and a climber.  We have lost many chewy tubes due to throwing.  Ellie has nearly injured a few innocent bystanders with a flying P-Tube or Tri-Chew.  These necklaces allow her to chew while leaving both hands free for climbing.

Chewy Tubes R Us: Tri-Chew, P-Tube, Chew-Ease, Chewy Necklace

They are also stylish.  Well, in my opinion they are not, but all the little kids are the playground beg my daughter to share her necklaces with them.  "Ellie, can I have one?  Can you share with me?" My daughter, ever the fashionista. The cool toddler on the block.  The trend setter!

We buy our chewy necklaces from National Autism Resources.  You can get the necklace + bracelet in the color blue on Amazon.com but I am paranoid about the bracelet.  I can just picture Ellie strangling herself with the bracelet.  Plus, my spoiled little Bearity Bear likes to tell me what color she wants to wear each day. . . .er colors.

Goodness!  I know that I have at least two more of these!  A purple and a white, perhaps.

Because one chewy just isn't enough and because the Bear must wear the color  or colors that suit her ever changing mood, we bought our in batches (you can do one, 3, or 7).  Because it would be such a shame to own more than one color and *gasp* be missing one of the colors of the rainbow, we specified our color choice in the "comments" section during the online check out.

For an added sensory punch, place these bad boys in the fridge for a few minutes. . . or if you are Ellie Bear, the freezer.  Yes, she does this herself, Little Miss Independent.

Don't mind me. . . just working on those thigh muscles.

That's right, we own all 7 colors.  Pink has been discontinued much to the Bear's dismay.  So. . . if anyone happens to come across a pink one, please alert me!

What about blankie?  I can still chew on my blankie, right?

The Chewy

Sometimes one chewy just isn't enough.

Sometimes a girl has to accessorize.

Sometimes it is important to share your chewies by shoving one (or two!) of them into the mouth of your doctor and then stealing her stethoscope to listen to your own heart beat.

In case you want to be cool like Ellie and have a chewy of your own, visit here.

In case you want to know more about chewelry, visit here.

A Little Mouthy

I guess somebody was feeling the need for oral sensory input.  

Make that intense sensory input.

How many chewy tubes do you see?

a.) 2

b.) 4

c.) 8

d.) what's a chewy tube?

I am actually quite proud of The Bear.  Rather than gnawing on a toy, furniture, or my arm, she went to her backpack and removed her chew tubes.  This is exciting and scary because this means she can now get past zippers. 

To learn more about chewy tubes visit:

Chewy Tubes for Oral Stimulation, Speech, and Eating

Mouthing Objects: Think Outside the Box for Oral Sensory Seeking

October is not only Down Syndrome Awareness month, it is also National Sensory Awareness Month. Nearly everyone has some sensory issues and for some, it is a neurological disorder that affects day-to-day living as their bodies have trouble processing and registering tactile, auditory, visual, olfactory (smell), taste and vestibular sensations.  You can learn more by clicking along the upper toolbar of my blog or visit http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com

Sensory Ideas for in the Home

It has become rather apparent that I need to significantly rework Ellie's sensory diet.  By that, I mean that I need increase the amount of motor & vestibular sensory input her muscles and joints are receiving so that she can settle her little self down without becoming injured.  This type of sensory stimuli is created by bouncing, climbing, crashing, swinging, rocking, and pushing/pulling heavy objects.

If you are interested in oral sensory ideas, please click here.

Let's not have anymore of this, Miss Ellie.

As I am certain you have noticed, many of my recent posts have illustrated Ellie's uncanny ability to climb--the dog bowl incident, the above dresser incident, the vaseline incident.  The list goes on and on.  Much of this is typical toddler behavior and some of it is Ellie trying to fulfill her sensory needs.  Sadly, I have not been very good about creating a safe, in-home environment.  I cannot always take her out back in the blistering heat as our mini-playscape is scalding hot in this 100+ degree weather.  We do not always have the luxury of jaunting off to Chick-Fil-A's indoor playscape either.

This is an ever evolving work in progress, yet here are a few SAFE, high-sensory input activities we have installed in our home.  Hopefully, using some of the "toys" will help curb Ellie's dangerous climbing and hanging off of the kitchen island/open dishwasher/oven handle habits.  There is so much more I would like to do, but I am trying to keep it low-cost.


1. Ball Pit
You can buy fancy ball pits, but if your child is pint-sized like my Ellie Bear, you can get a way with a kiddie pool and plastic balls.  I found the bag of 150 balls at Target for around $14 and I picked up a cheap kiddie pool.  The Chunky Chicken insisted on the pink pool.  Gag.  Anyway, I barely got the plastic pool in the house when Ellie tromps on into the pool with her baby doll and stuffed puppy.  She was having a blast rolling around.  Apparently, the plastic balls are superfluous.  Or not.  When I added the plastic balls, Ellie Bear yelled "ball ball BALL!" and giggled the whole time.  I do hope to purchase a little slide so that Ellie can satisfy her climbing cravings and slide right into the ball pit.  Be forewarned, plastic balls may end up everywhere.

2. Bouncy "House"
We will probably come to regret this, but we have turned Ellie's sleeping area into a makeshift bouncy house.  Ellie Bear enjoys bouncing and climbing and by using a large stuffed bear, multiple pillows, and the old crib mattress, we have made getting to her bed quite the obstacle course.  We also have a collapsible IKEA tunnel that we occasionally add into the mix.  It becomes a real party when our hyperactive border collie believes she needs to race through the tunnel and onto the bed.  Hmm, maybe we should have stuck with pulling the cushions off of the couch and letter Ellie bounce on those.

Anyway, the bouncing, climbing, and crashing are good exercises before bed if your child has SPD because it helps self-regulate--the heavy input into the muscles and joints helps calm.

3. Bean Bag Crash

This is very similar to the Bouncy House and can be implemented together.  Crashing into objects and/or people is seen commonly witnessed in children with sensory processing disorder.  Encouraging Ellie to crash into a bean bag gives her tons of sensory input.  She gets to crash all while feeling those little pellets in the bean bag close around her.  Right now, Ellie has taken to dragging the bean bag about the house, which I am okay with because it counts as heavy work.

Not exactly crashing, but rather lounging.

4. The Hopper or Therapy Ball
I bought a $10 hopper off of Amazon.  The common complaint on Amazon is that it is small, which is one of these reason I bought it for Little Miss Shorty.  It will probably break at some point although it seems relatively sturdy.  I am hoping that Ellie will get the hang of this bad boy sometime soon because right now she carries it around like a purse.  Until then, I help her balance on the hopper.  The hopper helps fulfill those motor cravings all while working on her core muscles as she tries to stay upright.  I love it because it wears her out!

Other items that might be fun, but have not tried:




5. Climbing Wall
Our ABA therapist found this on-line.  It looks like a lot of fun, but right now we do not have the wall space for it.  Placing the old crib mattress under this contraption would probably be a smart idea.  A brief internet search brought me to a Scandinavian website.  Further research would reveal if you are able to find it in the US.

Kid's Climbing Tree Wall

6. Swing

What I really want is one of these therapy swings.  Ellie uses this in therapy and she LOVES it.  Sadly, I cannot justify spending nearly $250 for a swing.

Airwalker Therapy Swing

7. Mini Trampoline
You can buy a mini indoor trampoline with a little bar to hold onto for about $55-100.  I have no recommendations for a specific brand.  Ellie cannot jump yet so I have held off on buying one.




8. Hang Bar
Ellie loves to hang.  I will hold her hands and she will lift her tiny feet off the ground and just hang.  Sometimes, she will hang off of our dishwasher (we have a stacked washer--she hangs off of the upper) which is quite dangerous for both herself and for the dishwasher.  Most of the hanging bars I have found are over-the-door ones for people who like to do pull-ups or hanging sit-ups.  Over-the-door would not be ideal for my little 33-inch pixy.  I would love to get a bar for her to hang off of, but I am at a loss for ideas.  What do you recommended?  What are your ideas?

Also, any recommendations for a little slide that I could use indoors?

Chewy Tubes for Oral Stimulation, Speech, and Eating

It has been nearly a year to the date since Ellie was diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder.  In the past year, we have tried just about every chewy tube known to mankind and I have learned many things:

1. Chewy Tubes come in various shapes, textures, diameters, and firmness.
2. Chewy Tubes help satisfy oral seeking behaviors.  There will be good mouthing days and bad mouthing days.
3. Chewy Tubes are also for those with oral aversion--start with the smallest diameter chew and work your way up.  Start smooth, then add textured bumps.
4. Chewy Tubes can help jaw gradation and therefore speech development.
5. Chewy Tubes can help in eating--with chewing and biting.

Silly Ellie! Chewing on your foot does not count as a "socially acceptable" chew. Eh, being socially acceptable is truly over-rated.  Embrace your uniqueness, show off your flexibility, and chew away!

This post is not to advertise any particular product or seller, but to rather share the various types of chewy tubes that we use with Ellie regularly.   If any maker or seller of chewy tubes would like to send us a free tube as a "thank you" for the free advertising, Ellie would graciously accept!

Many of your know that Ellie is a sensory seeker and tends to mouth (and climb) everything.  Shoes, toys, crayons (especially the red ones), playground mulch, etc. Sadly, it does occasionally impact her ability to learn and play.  She is so focused on satisfying that oral craving that she cannot remove the toy from her mouth to play with it.  Ellie cannot develop a good grasp on a crayon, marker, or chalk because she is munching on it. Here are where the chewy tubes come in.  While gnawing on a chew tube, Ellie is able to focus on her occupational therapy tasks.  She is able to color. She does not get in trouble at the gym daycare for chewing on other kids' toys/shoes/artwork. Chewy tubes satisfy Ellie's oral cravings, but they can also be used to stimulate a certain area of the mouth to help with chewing or to help with sound development.  We use the chew to massage the insides of her gums or we place it along the upper alveolar ridge behind her front teeth encourage her tongue to touch the top of her mouth (this is for forming "n" and "t" sounds).  These tubes can also be instrumental in helping children over come oral aversions.

Throughout the day, I show Ellie the stash of chews and she selects the one that she is in need of.  Many of these can be found on Amazon by searching for "chewy tube" and some can be found on many Autism websites such as National Autism Resources.  Plus, added bonus, the very last one can be found at Lowe's or Home Depot for just cents!

The P-Tube or The Grabber

P & Q Chew

The Grabber

This particular chew is solid unlike many of the other chews marketed.  Consequentially, it is the firmest.  The curved portion of the P allows for an easy grip, even among those children with delayed fine motor skills.  These tubes can be smooth or bumpy.  Ellie prefers the bumpy (we had the Grabber). The bumpy one has different types of textures on all sides.  I have not been able to find replacements online, but there are pre-flavored P-Tubes in orange and in grape.  Ellie received her orange one from her speech therapist, but sadly it is caught behind a drain at the 24-Hour Fitness Kids Club.  If you child has oral aversion, try buying the smooth P-Tube first as she may be more tolerant.  Then you can build up to the bumpy one.

The T-Tube

The T-Tube is currently Little Bear's favorite.  We have the red one and it is by far the firmest of all of her hollow chews.  The red one is also smooth, but if your kiddo needs an extra sensory stimulation boost, the green one is knobby.  Not only do these bad boys satisfy oral seeking behaviors (or help with oral aversion) they also help jaw mobility for the development of biting and chewing. Ellie will chew on all ends of the T-Tube, but technically the long portion of the T is meant to go into the mouth.  The tube is short enough that the risk for jabbing it into the back of the throat and causing all sorts of nasty bleeding is minimal.  I do allow Ellie to run around with this particular chew unlike I do with the toothbrush or food-grade tubing. 

The Tri-Chew

The Tri-Chew is also another favorite in our household.  Each side is a different diameter and its main purpose is for jaw gradation.  Essentially this chew helps promote jaw stability which in turn will add in the production of sounds.  The textured sides are supposed to, in theory, mimic chewing textures of food. This particular chewy tube has the most "give" or should I say the "chewiest" in our entire arsenal.  The shape of this tube, like the P-Tube is easy for young children and those with fine motor delays to hold independently. Another added bonus to the Tri-Chew is the decreased choking hazard.  I will allow Ellie to run around with this one in her mouth. 

The Jigglers 

We actually do not use jigglers, but rather a vibrating toothbrush.  This little vibrating bits of cuteness are quite pricey at around $28, but they do serve multiple purposes.  If you decide to purchase one of these vibrating oral stimulators, I suggest the elephant because his ears can also act as a spoon.  Or, you can be cheap like me and use a Thomas the Train (or Dora) toothbrush.  Yes, I do carry a toothbrush in the diaper bag.

Chewelry

Chew Necklace

This little stretchy cord come in a variety of colors and diameters and can serve as necklaces or bracelets. Their main function is to satisfy mouthing.  The necklace is actually marketed for kids who tend to chew on their clothing.  In all practicality, they are better served for older children when you do not have to worry about accidental strangulation due to overzealous use of the chewelry necklace.  Ellie does have a bracelet.  She used to have a necklace.  It is now laying abandoned in the darkened corners of the Lakeline Mall.  While Ellie does chew on the bracelet, she tends to play with it more.  She loves to stretch it as wide as possible and then let go, sending spittle everywhere and the chewelry cord flying.  Note that this is one of those where you can buy it cheaply on Amazon rather then buying the brand-name of Chewelry.  Search term: chewelry

The Chew-Ease

The chew is hanging off of her shirt in this older photo.
As you can see, she is preferring to chew on the camera lens cap. 

This was Ellie's first foray into the chewy tube world.  I purchased this for two reasons: 1. it was cheap and 2. it has a little clip to attach to Ellie's clothing.  It is also my least favorite due to some reasons listed later on.  The Chew-Ease is essentially food grade tubing that has a "chewelry" cord attached to a clip.  Ellie loves the tubing and she loves the chewelry cord.  It is a great little chewy if you have a thrower which is why I purchased it in the first place.  However, I would not want Ellie to have this tube unsupervised given it shape which allows for ramming down the back of the throat or poking out an eye.  Also, the Bear would accidentally step on the tube while its dangling from the collar of her shirt when she bears crawling up stairs.  It would snap back up and whack her in the face.  It took me days to figure out where the strange pattern of bruising came from on her face.  Amazon search term: Chew-Ease

Food Grade Tubing

Yeah, I know, still the chew-ease, BUT the food grade tubing is that clear tube on the end of the blue coiled cord.

Food grade tubing is very similar to what you see with the Chew-Ease.  It is PVC tubing found at Lowes.  It is the cheapest and easiest to replace.  As with many chews, you can vary the firmness.  Typically we buy 1 foot for food grade tubing for $0.29.  See, I said cheap!   I cut it into 3 pieces.  We tend to lose these rather frequently because it is clear and there is the potential for it getting rammed down the throat.

Finally, you can flavor any of these chews to increase oral stimulation.  Slightly moisten the chew tube and roll in dry Crystal Light powder.

It is really beneficial to have a few chews of various diameters and firmness.  On any give day, Ellie may select the chewiest of all them and other days it may be the firmness.  Oral cravings vary by day and therefore having a variety of chews on hand is very beneficial.