ARK Flat Textured Spoons – 3 Pack

A slim, double-ended feeding spoon that lets you choose exactly how much texture – and where – you want to introduce it.

ARK’s Flat Textured Spoons are a clever combination of feeding spoon and oral sensory tool, designed for individuals who benefit from a shallow spoon profile or additional tactile input during feeding.

Unlike a traditional spoon with a deep bowl, these spoons have an almost completely flat profile. This can make food easier to remove for individuals who have difficulty using their lips to clear food from a deeper spoon.

Each spoon also gives you several sensory options.

One side is smooth and the other textured. One end features gentle lines for milder tactile input, while the opposite end has raised bumps for more pronounced texture.

Simply turn or flip the spoon depending on the type – and location – of sensory input you’re looking for.

Why we love them

There is so much versatility packed into one very simple-looking spoon.

We love the flat profile for individuals who find removing food from a traditional spoon challenging.

But what makes these particularly useful in feeding therapy is the ability to change the sensory experience without changing the spoon.

Textured side up can provide tactile input to the upper lip. Turn it over and the texture can provide input to the lower lip and tongue.

Then choose your intensity: start with the gentler lined texture or use the raised bumps when more pronounced tactile feedback is appropriate.

Smooth. Lines. Bumps. Up. Down.

There are lots of ways to adapt the experience to the individual.

Great for

• Individuals who have difficulty removing food from a traditional spoon
• Individuals with reduced lip control during spoon feeding
• Those who benefit from a very shallow or flat spoon presentation
• Providing additional tactile input during feeding
• Exploring different textures within the mouth
• Gradually introducing texture alongside smooth puréed foods
• Providing tactile input to the upper or lower lip and tongue
• Individuals who benefit from different levels of sensory input
• Guided oral sensory activities
• Feeding and oral motor therapy
• Use as a sensory or hand-held fidget

One spoon, lots of sensory options

The clever double-sided design allows you to vary the experience depending on how you present the spoon.

Smooth side
Use when you want the flat spoon profile without additional texture.

Lines – milder texture
The lined end provides gentler tactile input and can be a useful starting point when introducing additional texture.

Bumps – more texture
The raised bumps provide more pronounced tactile feedback for individuals who enjoy or benefit from stronger texture.

Texture facing up
Positions the textured surface towards the upper lip during spoon presentation.

Texture facing down
Positions the textured surface towards the lower lip and tongue.

This makes it easy to adapt the spoon according to the individual’s responses and preferences.

A feeding therapist’s note

What I love about these spoons is the amount of control they give us over the sensory experience.

Texture isn’t all or nothing.

Sometimes I want to introduce just a little tactile information, so I might begin with the lined end. At another time, the more pronounced bumps might be appropriate.

I can also choose where I want that texture to be experienced simply by flipping the spoon over.

The flat profile is another important feature. For someone who has difficulty using their lips to remove food from a deeper spoon bowl, having very little depth can reduce how much work is required to clear the spoon.

And when I’m using these for sensory exploration, I’m always watching the individual’s response. We don’t necessarily need to progress from smooth to lines to bumps as though there’s a finish line – the goal is to find the sensory experience that is useful and comfortable for that person.

Product details

• Flat-profile feeding and sensory spoon
• Double-sided design
• Smooth surface on one side
• Textured surface on the other
• Lined end provides milder tactile input
• Bumpy end provides more pronounced tactile input
• Approximately 15 cm long x 2 cm wide
• Rigid enough to hold food with some flexibility
• Can also be used as a sensory fidget or tongue depressor
• Sold as a pack of 3
• Dishwasher safe
• Medical-grade material
• FDA compliant
• Free from lead, phthalates, PVC, BPA and latex
• Designed and made in the USA by ARK Therapeutic

Important

Feeding and sensory needs vary between individuals. Introduce different textures according to the person’s responses, abilities and feeding goals rather than assuming that more texture is always better.

For individuals with significant feeding or swallowing difficulties, use feeding and oral sensory tools according to guidance from their treating speech pathologist or other appropriately qualified health professional.

We send Australia-wide. Delivery costs and timings, and how to arrange a return, are set out on our shipping & returns page.

If something isn’t right for you, get in touch and we’ll sort it out.