What is the TalkTools® Jaw Exerciser?
The TalkTools® Jaw Grading Bite Blocks™ (Red) are a clinician-designed set for assessing and training jaw control. They promote symmetrical strength, stability, and graded movement for clients who show reduced mobility or jaw sliding during speech or feeding.
Within Oral Placement Therapy (OPT), Bite Blocks provide isometric resistance at set jaw positions (typically 2–7). This complements dynamic jaw work and integrates with other OPT tools such as the Straw Kit and Horn Kit. You’ll also find Bite Blocks in the OPT Starter Bundle.
Typical goals include improved jaw stability, symmetry, and grading to support safer, more efficient chewing and clearer speech movements.
What’s included (bulleted list)
- 2 sets of six Bite Blocks (red/original)
- TalkTools instruction booklet
- Reusable, durable, easy to clean; hard, textured surface
How it works (in OPT)
Therapists progress a bite-block hierarchy using isometric holds at specific jaw heights. Practice builds positional awareness and strength without jaw shifting. Over time, this supports chewing efficiency and co-articulation for speech.
Benefits & use cases
- Trains jaw stability, symmetry, and grading for chewing and speech.
- Helps reduce jaw sliding/jutting by reinforcing steady positions.
- Fits cleanly into OPT plans alongside Straw and Horn hierarchies.
- Available in Sensory Friendly (purple) variant when softer texture is preferred.
Who it’s for
SLPs/SLTs, OTs, and trained caregivers working on early chewing skills or speech clarity where jaw control is a priority. Use in clinics, schools, or home programs under clinician guidance; select tasks that match the learner’s developmental level. (No medical claims or guarantees.)
How to use (quick start)
- Review the instruction booklet and follow your clinician’s plan.
- Choose the starting position/size your clinician recommends (often positions 2–7 are used).
- Place the block on molars as directed; cue a gentle bite-and-hold with a stable posture.
- Keep reps short and high-quality; stop at signs of fatigue.
- Progress to the next block/hold time only when the form is consistent.
- Adult supervision required at all times.
Care & safety
- Hand-wash between users; air-dry thoroughly. Tools are reusable and easy to clean.
- For clinics, consider the TalkTools Cleaning Kit for thorough hygiene of small tools.
- Store out of reach of young children. Small parts—choking hazard. Not a toy.
- This information is educational and not medical advice.
Key takeaways
- A graded, isometric bite-block program that builds jaw control.
- Targets stability, symmetry, and grading for chewing and speech clarity.
- Includes two sets of six Bite Blocks plus a booklet; available in Sensory Friendly option.
- Part of the OPT Starter Bundle and works well with Straw and Horn programs.
FAQs
Related terms
- Oral Placement Therapy (OPT): A tactile-kinesthetic approach combining auditory, visual, and oral-sensory input to improve speech clarity.
- Bite Tube Set: A graded bite-and-release program for dynamic jaw grading; complements Bite Blocks.
- Straw Kit: A 12-stage drinking hierarchy for tongue retraction, lip rounding, and grading.
- Horn Kit: A motivational airflow hierarchy for abdominal grading and controlled oral airflow.
- Sensory Friendly Bite Blocks: Softer Bite Blocks variant for clients who benefit from different textures.
- OPT Starter Bundle: Bundle that includes Bite Blocks plus other foundational OPT tools.
Resources
- Course: 3-Part Treatment Plan for OPT™ — Level 1 training foundation for OPT tools and techniques.
- Blog: Bite Blocks vs. Bite Tubes—Key Differences — when and why to use each.
- Library: Free Resource Library — downloads and free webinars to support home carryover.