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Taste

We perceive ____________ by our sense of taste

  • Sweet
  • Salty
  • Sour
  • Bitter
  • Umami (savory)

Oral Sensory System

We perceive ___________ as a result of our oral sensory system

  • Temperature
  • Texture
  • Taste

And we can control our ability to _____________

  • Chew
  • Speak
  • Eat and drink

Oral Sensory Dysfunction

There are some instances where someone might have problems with some part of their oral sensory system

this would make the skills on the previous slide difficult/ impossible to do normally

They may have either HEIGHTENED oral sensitivity or DECREASED oral sensitivity

Heightened Oral Sensitivity

This is referring to unusually intensified oral sensations, often making textures/tastes/temperatures/chewing “too much” for a person to handle or process

This may lead to ____________ during activities involving the mouth

  • Choking
  • Gagging
  • Avoidance when placing objects/tastes (including food, eating utensils) in mouth
  • Tantrums

Decreased Oral Sensitivity

This is referring to unusually desensitized oral experiences, often causing individuals to “seek out” oral textures/tastes/temperatures/chewing more than the typical person

“seeking out” oral sensations might look like _______

  • Eating/ preferring foods with strong tastes – drinking ocean water
  • Chewing on non edible objects- life jacket straps, snorkel mouth pieces, sand, sleeves
  • Making noise with their mouths – humming, clicking, buzzing

Chewelry

Chewelry is a form of jewelry that can be worn like a necklace and can be chewed on

They come in many different styles and provide someone who “seeks” oral sensations a way to satisfy their needs

What can I do?

Safety is the priority- if someone is in danger attempt

to stop the behavior and seek assistance

If you see someone “seeking out” inappropriate oral

sensations, try and suggest a more appropriate activity

*you see someone chewing on their lifejacket

  straps, do they have ”chewelry”? Or would they   

  like to munch on a snack?

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