What Are Speech Therapy Tools?
Speech therapy tools are materials, strategies, and resources used by speech-language therapists to support the development of speech, language, communication, and feeding skills. These tools help children improve articulation, oral-motor coordination, understanding of language, and expressive communication. Speech therapy tools can be physical objects, visual supports, or digital aids and are used in both clinical settings and home practice. When used appropriately, they make therapy engaging, structured, and effective for children with diverse needs.
Types of Speech Therapy Tools
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Oral placement therapy tools – Used to support jaw stability, lip closure, tongue positioning, and breath control for clearer speech production.
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AAC tools – Includes picture boards, communication books, and speech-generating apps that help non-verbal or minimally verbal children express their needs and ideas.
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Visual supports – Visual schedules, cue cards, and picture symbols that help children understand routines, instructions, and language concepts.
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Sensory-motor tools – Tools that address sensory processing and motor planning, helping children
Top 10 Oral Placement Therapy Tools Oral Placement Therapy (OPT) is a method used to improve speech clarity through a combination of auditory, visual, and tactile stimulation to the mouth. These tools play a crucial role in targeting specific muscles and functions necessary for speech development. Below are the top 10 randomly ordered OPT tools used by therapists to aid in speech and feeding therapy.
1. Honey Bear drinking cup
The Honey Bear bottle is a popular OPT tool designed with a flexible straw to promote proper tongue retraction and lingual grading. It’s particularly useful for children who have difficulty with forward tongue thrust and need support in oral motor movements essential for both speech and feeding. By using the Honey Bear Cup, children learn how to control their oral muscles more effectively.2. Jaw Grading Bite Blocks
3. Chewy Tubes
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- Yellow Chewy Tube: Perfect for infants and younger children with smaller jaws or those sensitive to oral stimulation. It offers mild resistance.
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- Red Chewy Tube: Designed for toddlers, older children, and adults. It has a smooth surface that provides a firmer resistance for biting.
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- Green Knobby Chewy Tube: With raised bumps, this tube increases sensory input and is harder to chew compared to the yellow or red versions.
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- Blue Chewy Tube: The firmest option, ideal for adolescents and adults with more intense oral motor needs.
4. Z-Vibe
The Z-Vibe is a vibratory oral motor tool that plays a versatile role in therapy. It helps to build oral tone and motor coordination, improving both feeding and speech skills. The gentle vibrations provide tactile input, helping clients who may have decreased oral awareness or poor muscle tone. The Z-Vibe can be fitted with various tips to address specific needs, making it a go-to tool for oral motor therapy.5. Straws for Straw Therapy
6. Tongue Tip Lateralization Tools
These tools focus on helping clients achieve jaw stability while moving the tongue independently across the midline. The Tongue Tip Lateralization Tools are crucial for developing the correct tongue placement needed for producing certain speech sounds, such as /l/ and /r/. They also help with the elevation and depression of the tongue tip, further refining articulation skills.
7. Horns/Whistles
Horns and whistles are fun yet incredibly effective tools for improving oral motor function. By blowing into the horns or whistles, clients work on strengthening their lips, cheeks, and jaw. These tools also enhance breath control, which is vital for speech sound production, fluency and improving articulation.
8. NUK Brush
The NUK Brush is a versatile tool used in OPT for oral motor stimulation and desensitization. It’s a favorite among therapists for its ability to provide calming sensory input to hypersensitive clients. The soft bristles offer a soothing experience, preparing clients for more advanced oral motor activities and reducing oral defensiveness.9. Infant Toothbrush
The Infant Toothbrush is a small, finger-sized brush used to introduce oral motor movements for chewing and biting. With soft bristles on one side and a smooth surface on the other, it’s perfect for sensory input and teaching early motor planning for chewing. This tool is especially useful for younger clients just starting with oral motor therapy.
10. Oral Sensory Integration Kit
The Oral Sensory Integration Kit is a comprehensive collection of interchangeable tools that offer various tactile inputs. This kit is ideal for desensitization and building awareness of the oral structures. It’s a must-have for any therapist working on improving speech clarity through oral sensory stimulation These 10 tools are integral to any oral placement therapy program, helping clients of all ages improve their speech and feeding abilities. Whether focusing on jaw stability, tongue lateralization, or improving sensory awareness, these tools provide targeted interventions for specific needs. Note: Always use these tools under the guidance of a certified Speech and Language Therapist for the best results.Frequently Asked Questions About Speech Therapy Tools
❓ What are the best speech therapy tools for children?
The best speech therapy tools depend on a child’s individual needs and may include oral placement therapy tools, AAC tools, visual supports, and sensory-motor materials. These tools help improve speech clarity, communication skills, and active participation in therapy.
❓ Who can benefit from oral placement therapy tools?
Oral placement therapy tools can benefit children and adults with speech sound disorders, apraxia of speech, dysarthria, and feeding difficulties. They are commonly used to support jaw control, tongue movement, and sensory awareness needed for clear speech.
❓ Are oral placement therapy tools effective in speech therapy?
Yes, oral placement therapy tools are effective when used appropriately by a trained speech-language therapist. They support foundational oral-motor skills such as jaw stability, lip closure, tongue placement, and breath control, which contribute to improved speech clarity.
❓ Can parents use speech therapy tools at home?
Parents can use many speech therapy tools at home under the guidance of a speech-language therapist. Simple tools such as mirrors, straws, whistles, and visual supports can be safely incorporated into daily routines to reinforce therapy goals.
❓ Do speech therapy tools replace speech therapy sessions?
Speech therapy tools do not replace professional speech therapy sessions. Instead, they enhance therapy by supporting practice, skill generalization, and consistency between therapy sessions and home environments.
Looking for a structured home program for your child?Contact me to get a personalised speech therapy home plan designed by a certified speech-language therapist.