What is the TalkTools® Straw Kit?
The TalkTools® Straw Kit gives clinicians and caregivers everything needed to run the Straw Hierarchy—a stepwise program that uses specific straws and lip blocks to train efficient drinking and targeted oral movements. It’s a pillar of Oral Placement Therapy (OPT).
Within OPT, straw work complements airflow and jaw tools (for example, the Horn Kit and Jaw Grading Bite Blocks). The kit is also included in the OPT Starter Bundle for standardized clinic setups and home carryover.
Typical goals: tongue retraction, lip rounding, grading (smooth control), and jaw–lip–tongue dissociation for better drinking and readiness for speech sound work.
What’s included
- One of each straw in the TalkTools Straw Hierarchy (colors may vary)
- One replacement Straw #1
- Two Lip Blocks
- TalkTools instruction booklet
- Note: Not dishwasher safe.
How it works (in OPT)
Learners move through the straw hierarchy from easiest to more challenging. Numbered straws increase resistance and motor demands (Straw #1 is easiest; #8 most challenging). Lip blocks limit how far the straw enters the mouth, reinforcing lip closure, appropriate jaw opening, and tongue retraction patterns.
Benefits & use cases
- Trains tongue retraction, lip rounding, and controlled tongue movements for functional straw drinking.
- Builds jaw–lip–tongue dissociation and grading to support later speech clarity.
- Structured, motivating steps that are easy to carry over at home or school.
- Works well with the Honey Bear when teaching initial straw drinking with controlled flow.
Who it’s for
SLPs/SLTs, OTs, and trained caregivers supporting clients who need help learning to drink from a straw or who benefit from targeted tongue and lip control. Use only with clinician guidance and adult supervision; choose tasks appropriate to the learner’s developmental level.
How to use (quick start)
- Review the instruction booklet and your clinician’s plan.
- Begin with an easy straw to ensure success (often Straw #1). Focus on gentle, continuous sips, not hard pulls.
- Add a lip block to set the correct jaw opening and cue lip closure.
- Increase challenge gradually (next straw number, longer sequences) only when form is consistent.
- For early learners, pair with the Honey Bear to control liquid flow.
- Keep sessions short and positive; adult supervision required.
Care & safety
- Hand-wash only; not dishwasher safe. Dry fully before storage.
- Inspect straws and lip blocks regularly; replace if worn.
- Use as directed by a clinician; small parts—choking hazard. Store out of reach of young children.
Key takeaways
- A graded straw hierarchy to build tongue retraction, lip rounding, and grading.
- Includes numbered straws, replacement Straw #1, two Lip Blocks, and a booklet.
- Integrates with OPT and pairs well with the Honey Bear for controlled-flow training.
FAQs
Related terms
- Oral Placement Therapy (OPT): A tactile–kinesthetic approach that pairs tools and hierarchies (straws, horns, bubbles) to build the movements for speech and feeding.
- Horn Kit: Graded horn program for controlled oral airflow and abdominal grading; often paired with straws.
- Bubble Kit: Bubble hierarchy for elongated airflow and lip rounding.
- Jaw Grading Bite Blocks: Isometric jaw holds at set heights to build stability and grading.
- Bite Tube Set: Dynamic bite-and-release training for jaw grading; complements straw work.
- Lip Block: An accessory that sets jaw opening and cues lip closure during straw practice.
- OPT Starter Bundle: Bundle that includes the Straw Kit plus other foundational OPT tools.
Resources
- Library: Self-Study Course Collection for more OPT learning.
- Course: Self-Study — Straws: Fun & Functional (1-hour training on straw therapy techniques and goals).
- Course bundle: Horns, Straws & Bubbles Combo (Self-Study).
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