A smaller version of the Probe Tip (for babies/toddlers & smaller mouths) ARK's Mini Tip is a smaller version of the Probe Tip - our most versatile tip attachment for the Z-Vibe®. Its smaller size is perfect for babies and toddlers, and its rectangular shape features three different surfaces: bumpy, striated, and smooth. As such, the Mini Tip provides a varied sensory experience as you stroke and apply gentle pressure to the gums, palate, cheeks, tongue, and lips. This sensory input helps "wake" up the mouth and increase oral awareness for individuals with hyposensitivities. Or, it helps decrease oral defensiveness and food aversions for individuals with hypersensitivities.

The Mini Tip can also be used to provide targeted tactile cues during oral motor therapy. Use it to direct the articulators for tongue elevation, tongue lateralization, tongue retraction, lip closure, lip extension, jaw stability, and more.

For detailed exercises and therapy tips, consult our how-to guide, Tips & Techniques for the Z-Vibe®.

• A smaller version of the popular Probe Tip
• For babies & toddlers (~2.5 years and under)
• Soft version for those with a strong bite reflex
• Made in the USA
• To be used with the Z-Vibe (sold separately)

WARNING: Choking Hazard. Adult supervision required. This item is not returnable.

Details

• 1 tip
• Each tip measures approximately .4 inches x .4 inches x 2.25 inches
• Dishwasher-safe
• To be used with either the Z-Vibe® or Z-Grabber® handle (sold separately)
• Colors may vary
• No lead, phthalates, PVC, BPA, or latex
• WARNING: Choking Hazard. Adult supervision required.
• This item is not returnable.

Why It Works

Most of us are either visual or auditory learners. But when these two senses are not enough, you may need to physically direct the articulators for certain speech and feeding skills.  ARK's Z-Vibe® is an ideal tool to help you do so. Therapists (and trained caregivers) can use it to provide targeted tactile cues within the oral cavity to teach tongue elevation, tongue lateralization, lip closure, rotary chewing, and much more. For example, use the Z-Vibe® to apply gentle pressure to the alveolar ridge (just behind the upper front teeth). Then remove the Z-Vibe® and instruct the individual to touch the same spot with his/her tongue tip. You can also follow up by prompting the individual to say the tongue tip sounds /t/d/n/l/. 

When just touching the lips, tongue, cheeks, etc. doesn’t provide enough input, simply turn the Z-Vibe® on. Its gentle vibration provides a new level of tactile awareness for additional sensory feedback, to help "wake up" the mouth, and to draw more acute attention to specific movements of the cheek, jaw, lips, and tongue.

Please note that by no means does an individual have to use vibration to acquire skills for feeding and articulation.  Some people simply do not like vibration - and that's ok!  Even without vibration, the Z-Vibe® can still provide a vast range of sensory stimulation. 

Benefits

Increase Oral Awareness:
The Z-Vibe is highly recommended for individuals with hyposensitivities and low oral tone. Its gentle vibration will increase oral awareness and provide much needed proprioceptive input to the lips, cheeks, tongue, and jaw. For sensory-seekers who crave oral stimulation, massaging the gums with the Soft Brush Tip is particularly effective.

Decrease Oral Sensitivities and Food/Texture Aversions:
The Z-Vibe is also recommended for hypersensitive individuals. In these cases, vibration as well as the various textures/shapes of the tips can gradually desensitize the mouth and decrease oral aversions and sensory defensiveness.

Calm and Soothe:
Vibration can be a very helpful tool for calming and organizing. The Z-Vibe's smooth vibration provides gentle sensory feedback to the lips, gums, tongue, jaw, and inside the cheek area. This oral input can help decrease self-biting or chewing on one's hands, shirts, pencils, etc.  While it is mostly used inside the oral cavity, it can also be used outside the mouth on the cheeks, neck, and arms for additional feedback.

Transition from Puréed to Textured Foods:
The Textured Spoon Tips have a textured surface on the back side of the spoon. Use these tips with the Z-Vibe in order to gradually introduce new textures during feeding. Or, use the ears of the Animal Tips to feed and allow the individual to mouth the tips and explore their various textures and shapes.

Increase Interest in Therapy:
Use the Z-Vibe with the friendly Animal Tips and/or the Popette Tip with a lollipop in order to spark attention and increase participation in therapy.

Teach Biting and Chewing Skills:
Use the Z-Vibe with Bite-n-Chew Tips to develop and improve the oral motor skills necessary for feeding, including a sustained bite, rhythmic chewing, jaw strength and stability, and more. These tips are available in extra long (XL) versions that can reach all the way to the back molar area. The Animal Tips can be used to practice mouthing, biting, chewing, and jaw grading and stability.  And the Bite Tube Tips can be used with real foods for functional biting/chewing practice.  Because they're hollow, the Bite Tube Tips are also recommended for those with a weak bite.

Develop Oral Motor Skills:
The Z-Vibe provides a safe and effective way to work on the oral motor skills necessary to make speech sounds and to manage food. These skills include: lip/cheek/tongue awareness, lip closure, lip extension, jaw stability and grading, tongue and jaw dissociation, tongue elevation, tongue retraction and protrusion, tongue lateralization, and a tongue bowl. Using the Z-Vibe, therapists and caregivers can target specific movements within the oral cavity - physically demonstrating where the tongue, lips, and jaw should be for each skill. For specific exercises on how to improve these goals, consult our blog, video directory, and Tips & Techniques for the Z-Vibe® & Z-Grabber®.

Improve Oral Hygiene:
Use the Brush Tips for gentle gum massage and teeth cleaning and to transition individuals into the eventual use of a regular toothbrush. The Tongue Tip, Popette, and Floss Tips can also be used for dental care with the Z-Vibe.

Work on Writing Skills:
When used with the Pen, Pencil, or Crayon Tips, the Z-Vibe becomes the Tran-Quill™ Pen/Pencil/Crayon - an excellent tool for sensory motor needs. The vibration increases focus and attention while working on handwriting, homework, and other writing tasks, but does not affect the actual writing.

Therapy Video