ARK Oro-Navigator™

A specialised oral motor tool designed to help guide the tongue side-to-side and up-and-down during targeted feeding and oral motor therapy.

ARK’s Oro-Navigator™ is designed specifically for working on tongue lateralisation and elevation.

The clever cuff at the end of the tool fits gently over the side or front of the tongue, allowing a trained therapist, or caregiver following therapist guidance, to physically guide the tongue towards a desired position.

Move the tool from side to side to introduce the concept of tongue lateralisation or guide it upwards and downwards when working on tongue elevation.

It’s a simple, purpose-designed tool for very specific therapeutic goals.

Why we love it

Because sometimes a verbal instruction just isn’t enough.

“Move your tongue over here” can be a surprisingly difficult instruction to understand – particularly when someone hasn’t yet developed awareness or voluntary control of that movement.

The Oro-Navigator gives the therapist a way to provide physical guidance and additional tactile information, helping the individual experience what that movement feels like rather than relying on verbal instructions alone.

We also love that it was designed specifically for this purpose. The cuff allows the therapist to gently guide the tongue in a much more targeted way than trying to improvise with a general oral motor tool.

Great for

• Feeding therapists working on targeted tongue movements
• Introducing the concept of tongue lateralisation
• Guiding side-to-side tongue movement
• Introducing the concept of tongue elevation
• Guiding upward and downward tongue movement
• Individuals who benefit from tactile guidance when learning a new tongue movement
• Structured oral motor and feeding therapy activities
• Caregivers who have been specifically trained by their child’s feeding therapist to use the tool

What is tongue lateralisation?

Tongue lateralisation simply means moving the tongue from side to side.

During eating, the tongue needs to do much more than move forwards and backwards. Side-to-side movement is involved in manipulating and repositioning food within the mouth, including moving food towards the chewing surfaces.

For some individuals, this movement may be difficult to initiate or coordinate.

The Oro-Navigator provides a way for a trained therapist to physically guide the tongue through the movement, giving the individual an opportunity to experience where the tongue is being asked to go.

How does it work?

The Oro-Navigator has a small cuff at the end of the tool that is positioned over the tongue.

For lateral movement, the cuff can be placed over the side of the tongue and used to gently guide it from side to side.

When working on elevation, it can be positioned towards the front of the tongue and used to guide movement upwards and downwards.

The aim isn’t to simply move the tongue for the individual, but to provide guided practice and tactile information as part of an appropriately selected therapy activity.

A feeding therapist’s note

The Oro-Navigator is one of the more specialised tools in our collection – and it’s one I recommend using with a clear therapeutic goal in mind.

When we’re asking someone to learn a new tongue movement, verbal instructions such as “move your tongue to the side” don’t always give them enough information.

Sometimes they need to feel the movement first.

That’s where a tool like the Oro-Navigator can be useful. The cuff gives us a way to gently guide the tongue and provide tactile information about the direction we’re asking it to move.

Tongue lateralisation is particularly relevant during eating because we use side-to-side tongue movement when manipulating and repositioning food within the mouth.

Importantly, though, oral motor exercises should be purposeful and individualised. I wouldn’t use this tool simply because someone has a feeding difficulty – it should be selected when the therapist has identified a specific reason to work on these movements.

Product details

• Specialised oral motor tongue tool
• Designed to guide lateral tongue movement
• Can also be used to guide tongue elevation
• Cuff fits over the side or front of the tongue for targeted guidance
• Intended for use by feeding therapists or caregivers trained by a therapist
• Recommended by the manufacturer for ages 3 years+ depending on mouth size
• Medical-grade material
• FDA compliant
• Free from lead, phthalates, PVC, BPA and latex
• Dishwasher safe
• Made in the USA by ARK Therapeutic

Important

The Oro-Navigator™ is a specialised therapeutic tool and is intended for use by feeding therapists or caregivers who have been specifically trained in its use by an appropriately qualified therapist.

It should not be used independently by a child or as a general chew or toy.

Therapy activities should be selected according to the individual’s specific feeding, oral motor and swallowing needs.

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.