Beckman Philosophy for Transitioning to Straw and Open Cups:

  1. Teaching Drinking:
  • First need to find the utensil (cup, straw, bottle) that is easiest for the client to use for drinking
  • Working to change muscle control
  • Easiest drinking utensil is a flexible straw with a closed container, a straw bottle
    • Internal jaw stability and strength to close jaw appropriately
    • Tongue lifting to the roof of the mouth to initiate the swallow
    • Control of the liquid as it comes to the mouth
    • Coordination of sucking, swallowing, and breathing
  1. Skills for Cup Drinking:
  • To drink from a regular straw to in an open container (cup) the client needs to have more control with:
    • Head/neck control
    • Internal jaw stability and strength
    • Lip strength to maintain lip seal around the straw
    • Lip rounding and negative pressure to pull the liquid into the mouth
    • Tongue lifting to the roof of the mouth to initiate swallow
    • Control of liquid as it comes into the mouth
    • Coordination of sucking, swallowing, and breathing
    • Eye-hand coordination
  • Never push a child’s head back during process as this can cause choking
  • Counting out loud as the fluid is presented and moving through the mouth (1,2,3)
    • Paces the timing of each sip
    • At the count of 3 stop the flow of liquid into the mouth to cue the child to swallow and then breath before the next sip
  1. Teaching Open Cup Drinking
  • Child’s head can stay level as you present the liquid
    • Sometimes sitting behind the client can be beneficial in supporting child’s head
  • Place cup rim gently against client’s upper lip while waiting for lower lip to lift up to seal against the rim of the cup
  • Next, encourage client to place his or her hands around the cup with yours and practice this until there is enough control for independence

To find out more information visit: https://www.beckmanoralmotor.com/transition-skills.php