What is the TalkTools® Spinner™ and Toothies™?
The TalkTools® Spinner™ and Toothies™ set is a clinician-designed diagnostic and therapy tool for the oral-sensory system. It’s often used at the start of sessions—especially when a learner doesn’t yet tolerate tools in the mouth—to increase awareness and prepare for OPT activities. It can also help identify hyper- or hyposensitivity and tactile defensiveness that affect therapy.
Typical goals include improved responsiveness to sensory input, better tolerance of oral tools, and decreased jaw/lip “fixing.”
What’s included
- 1 Spinner (battery-powered handle)
- 20 Toothies™ swabs
- TalkTools instruction booklet
- Batteries: uses 2 AAA (not included)
- SKU: 1541
(Refills available: TalkTools Toothies.) (TalkTools)
How it works (in OPT)
The Spinner provides gentle, powered tactile input while the Toothies deliver soft contact to lips, gums, and tongue surfaces. Clinicians introduce brief, graded touches and observe the response to map oral sensitivity and build acceptance. As comfort increases, input is faded or redirected to support later tool work (e.g., straws, horns).
Benefits & use cases
- Screens for hyper/hyposensitivity and tactile defensiveness that may impact feeding or speech tasks.
- Reduces “fixing” by increasing awareness and comfort around oral input.
- Serves as a pre-therapy warm-up when learners don’t yet tolerate intra-oral tools.
- Smoothly pairs with other OPT tools once tolerance improves.
Who it’s for
SLPs/SLTs, OTs, and trained caregivers supporting children (and other learners) who need oral-sensory regulation before tool-based speech or feeding work. Use only under clinician guidance and with adult supervision. (No medical claims or guarantees.)
How to use (quick start)
- Insert 2 AAA batteries in the Spinner; review the instruction booklet and your clinician’s plan.
- Attach a fresh Toothie securely. Begin with brief, gentle touch at the lips; watch the response.
- If well-tolerated, explore cheeks, gums, and tongue as directed by your clinician.
- Keep reps short; pause with any stress. Build duration/location gradually across sessions.
- Transition to other OPT tools (e.g., straws, horns) once acceptance improves.
Care & safety
- Use a new Toothie per hygiene policy; dispose after use per clinic guidelines. Refills available in 20- or 250-packs.
- Wipe the Spinner handle between users per facility protocols. Small parts—choking hazard.
- Store out of reach of young children; not a toy. Batteries not included.
Key takeaways
- Includes Spinner, 20 Toothies, and instructions (SKU 1541); 2 AAA batteries required.
- A diagnostic + therapy oral-sensory tool for awareness and tolerance.
- Helps identify sensitivity profiles and reduce fixing before OPT tasks.
FAQs
Related terms
- Oral Placement Therapy (OPT): Tactile-kinesthetic approach that pairs tools and hierarchies to build movements for speech and feeding.
- Toothies: Refill swabs used to adjust oral sensitivity before feeding/exercise/speech tasks.
- Tiny Toothies: Smaller swabs for targeted input; support oral awareness.
- Introduction to OPT Kit: Starter bundle that includes Spinner and Toothies plus core OPT tools.
- Jiggler®: Vibratory sensory tools used to increase awareness and help reduce “fixing.”
Resources
- Product page: TalkTools® Spinner™ and Toothies™ (20 Toothies) — description, SKU, and contents.
- Refills: TalkTools® Toothies™ — 20- or 250-packs.
- Bundle: Introduction to Oral Placement Therapy Kit — includes Spinner and Toothies plus core OPT tools.