When talking about oral-motor skills and eating, you don’t usually think immediately of bouncing on a ball as a treatment technique. Well, think again. Bouncing on a large therapy ball, either supported or unsupported, stimulates muscle co-contractions. These muscle contractions are all over the body to achieve stability while bouncing, so the bouncing on the ball is increasing trunk strength, shoulder stability, and head and neck control. Many people will also stabilize with their jaw, which increases jaw strength. Any improved strength in the trunk, shoulders, head, neck, and jaw will have a positive affect on oral strength and feeding/eating ability.
Materials:
- Therapy ball
Skills:
- Trunk strength
- Shoulder strength
- Neck and head strength
- Jaw strength
- Eating skills
- Upper extremity strength
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