Nuk Brush

Good Day RettGirls.

This week's feature at RettGirl.Org is the Nuk Brush. You can find this neat little item in our Product Reviews under Sensory.


I have had a Nuk Brush in the bathroom for Abby since her teeth started coming in. Recently, I have had several parents tell me that it is a great tool for oral stimulation. One even commented that it really helped their tube fed child learn to eat again.


Last week at Hippotherapy the Speech Pathologist that runs the place had me bring Abby in early so she could do some oral motor exercise with her. Abby has become quite the drooler lately.


The first thing she got out was this Nuk Brush set. She ran the round brush in a C pattern in her cheeks. She used the flat brush to go over her gums. When she put it on her tongue she immediately wrapped her mouth around it and sucked on it like a straw. I haven't been able to get her to use a straw for almost a year. In one session!


We took the set home and have been using it every day. In the last week we have gotten Abby to at least sip from a straw and eat whole jars of food instead of one bite. I didn't expect results that fast but I'm going with it.

======================================================

from the company website:

This brush is recommended by Speech Pathologists as well as feeding clinics to wake up the mouth before feeding.The Nuk™ brush massager is used for oral massage, oral stimulation and exploration. It stimulates lateral molar ridges, reduces oral hypersensitivity, and helps develop a tongue groove. The flexible, nubby texture offers valuable sensory input for the child’s mouth. Though this brush was designed initially for teething infants, it has made its way into therapeutic settings as an invaluable tool for sensory exploration. The nubby surface can hold tastes of liquid, purees or crumbs while it is used with supervision as a “spoon” for initial feedings. The NUK brush is approx. 5″ long. Use only under adult supervision.

=======================================================

Good luck everyone!

http://rettgirl.org/2010/08/nuk-brush/




Terri V~For RettGirl

Chewlery!

Good Day all.

These awesome little sensory items are called "Chewlery." You can find them at RettGirl.org in our Product Reviews under Sensory.

I know some of you may have seen them on other children or have a few of your own. I wanted to let you know there is quite a selection out now and a great gift idea for that hard to buy for RettGirl. Sensory is such a big issue in our lives along with the dreaded teeth grinding (Eeek, even typing those 2 words made my ears tingle.)

As you can see there is a great selection of colors between From the pink and purple on the girl above to the yellow, blue and green.

This fabric elephant is my girl's favorite. We can get her to chew on this rather than the also Non-Toxic plastic coils that are a staple in some girls' homes.

I once visited a Mom who's daughter got an assorted case from her Grandparents every year for Christmas. Without them she is a constant grinder and sometimes biter.

=============================================================

from the company website:

Chewable jewelry is a great way to keep kids from chewing on their clothes, while letting them work through their chewing tendencies. Its also great for oral-motor stimulating activities. Non toxic, colorful, plastic jewelry that "streeeetches".

For the fabric chewlery

Helps kids with difficulty handling sensory input
Absorbent, adorable, slightly stretchy neckwear that contains elastic
Low-pile terry cloth provides a natural comfort for the mouth
Bleachable, machine washable and dryable
Endorsed by therapists and moms

=============================================================

If you are looking for that "something" that will help with those oral motor sensory tendencies. These come highly recommended!

Have a great week!

http://rettgirl.org/2009/08/chewlery/

Terri V~For RettGirl

Caroline's Cart

Woo Hoo look at that!

I don't know about you, OK I do. Pushing a wheelchair while pulling a cart is like maneuvering a semi around a sharp corner in the store. Even for girls that can walk they sometimes tire easily.

The cart above is called Caroline's Cart. There is a movement in the US to try to get these carts in stores for the special needs community. Once again thought up by a parent of a child with multiple special needs.

No longer will we have to strap our children into those red and blue 2 seaters that don't hold them up. No pushing a wheelchair,pulling a cart and using your other 6 arms to shop.


I have been a royal pain in a certain popular chains you know what because I complain every time I come into their stores and the big blues are sitting outside in the 100 degree heat. Or left out and covered in rain. The best I have been able to do is to get them to slap a couple of handicapped stickers on 3 of them and park them next to the scooters inside the store. They work in a quick pinch but my back aches after I have had to push that big thing with one hand while holding Abby up with the other.


Having her facing you makes everything so much easier. My daughter can't stand facing away from me if she is in own chair or the big ones at the big chains. I think there is a sensory issue with the florescent lights, all the people and all the different colors and noises. This way she can focus on you or what she has with her.

We have added Caroline's Cart to RettGirl in our Product Reviews under Mobility. This is not an item you can just purchase but they do have ideas on how to get them into the stores you shop in.

For more information please visit:http://carolinescart.com/

Happy Shopping,

Terri V ~For RettGirl