Anything But Typical (2010), Nora Raleigh Baskin

Told from the first-person perspective of an autistic boy, Nora Raleigh Baskin’s novel is an enlightening story for anyone who has ever worried about fitting in.

Jason Blake is an autistic twelve-year-old living in a neurotypical world. Most days it's just a matter of time before something goes wrong. But Jason finds a glimmer of understanding when he comes across PhoenixBird, who posts stories to the same online site as he does.

Jason can be himself when he writes and he thinks that PhoneixBird-her name is Rebecca-could be his first real friend. But as desperate as Jason is to met her, he's terrified that if they do meet, Rebecca wil only see his autism and not who Jason really is.

By acclaimed writer Nora Raleigh Baskin, this is the breathtaking depiction of an autistic boy's struggles-and a story for anyone who has ever worried about fitting in.

Age Range: 10-12 years
Paperback: 224 pages

Fidget away with Anywhere Zen Strips! This Sandy Waves variant looks like quaint, blue sea waves calmly rolling. This playful product offers a tactile surface to satisfy your fidgeting needs. Stick them on cell phones, laptops, water bottles, or any surface for a quick zen moment. Great for relieving stress and improving focus! 

Benefits

• Improves mood and focus
• Redirects stimming habits
• Provides an opportunity for sensory integration

Needs Fulfilled

• Tactile input

Fidget away with Anywhere Zen Strips! This playful product offers a tactile surface to satisfy your fidgeting needs. Stick them on cell phones, laptops, water bottles, or any surface for a quick zen moment. Great for relieving stress and improving focus!

Benefits

• Improves mood and focus
• Redirects stimming habits
• Provides an opportunity for sensory integration

Needs Fulfilled

• Tactile input

The Bear Bottle Kit for Straw Drinking is a fun and friendly way to make drinking easier for beginners and/or children with oral motor difficulties. It's also an excellent way to transition babies straight from bottles to straw drinking - skipping sippy cups altogether!  

• Includes 1 easy-to-squeeze Bear Bottle with a snap-close cap, 1 Select-Flow Valve, straws (either 2 eight-inch long tubing straws OR 24 regular straws - choose your option from the menu above), 1 yellow Lip Blok® (3/4"), and instructions on how to teach straw drinking
• The tubing straw is a reusable, chewable, durable alternative to traditional straws, and the Lip Blok prevents kids from biting on the straw or putting it too far into their mouths
• Compatible with most standard .25" diameter straws should you need more down the road
• Special valve keeps liquid at the top of the straw, so only a small sip is required to drink
• Recommended for thin liquids (water, milk, juice without pulp, etc); not recommended for carbonated liquids
• Made in the USA

This item is non-returnable.

Benefits

• Helps with oral motor function
• Makes straw drinking easier
• Strengthens the mouth muscles and encourages tongue retraction, cheek tension, and lip closure

Safety Features

• Made of non-toxic, food grade materials
• Dishwasher safe
• No BPA, PVC, lead, phthalates, or latex

Specs for Bear Bottle Kit 

Volume
Holds 8 oz of fluid

Dimensions (bottle only)
2 x 2.5 x 6"

ARK's Bite Saber is a safe and super cool fidget necklace for kids and adults who need to chew.  At 4 inches long and just under half an inch in diameter, it’s just the right size to reach the back molars where chewing is needed the most.  Use it to provide calming proprioceptive input to the jaw, and/or as a safe alternative to chewing on fingers, shirt collars, sleeves, pencils, etc.  The Bite Saber features a tactile handle with a smooth "blade" for biting/chewing.  

• Available in 3 color-coded toughness levels
• Made in USA
• Ages 5+

This item is non-returnable.

Benefits

• Helps build mouth and jaw muscles
• Can be used as a fidget or for oral motor input
• Helps improve mood and focus
• Redirects sensory seeking habits

Need Fulfilled

• Oral motor and tactile input

Safety Features

• Medical grade material and FDA compliant 
• No lead, phthalates, PVC, BPA, or latex

Specs for Brick Stick Necklace

Toughness levels

Standard - This is the softest level, recommended for mild chewers (those who do not chew through anything). 

XT / Medium Firm - This is the middle level, which we call XT ("Xtra Tough").  It's firmer, but still fairly chewy, recommended for moderate chewers.

XXT / Very Firm - This is the toughest level, which we call XXT ("Xtra Xtra Tough").  It still has some “chewability” to it, but it’s fairly rigid / pretty firm.  No chew tool is indestructible, but this is usually the longest lasting level for avid chewers.

Weight
.8 oz

Dimensions
4" long and ½" in diameter

Cord
36”

The Bite Tube Hollow is a hollow chew tool with a different diameter on each end.  Use it as a safe outlet for anyone who needs to chew.  Hollow Bite Tubes can also be used as an oral motor tool to work on jaw strength and stability.

The tube-like extension is perfect for individuals who want their chew tool to "collapse" more, whether as a sensory chew and/or in feeding therapy.  

• Use the hollow Bite Tube to practice biting/chewing skills without the risk of choking, to build jaw strength and stability, and to exercise the mouth muscles.  
• Put puréed foods inside the hollow tube for functional biting/chewing practice - when the individual bites down, they will be rewarded with a taste of food.  
• The two different diameters allow you to work on varying jaw heights.  Because the hollow tube provides less resistance than solid chews like the Grabber, this is a great "starter" chew tool for individuals with very limited jaw strength. 
• Always replace chews at first sign of wear
• Made in USA

This item is non-returnable.

Benefits

• Improves the movement and coordination of the oral-motor muscles

Needs Fulfilled

• Oral motor input

Safety Features

• Medical grade silicone
• FDA compliant
• No lead, phthalates, PVC, BPA, or latex

Specs for Bite Tubes

Dimensions
Each chew measures about 5" long overall, 1/2" in diameter on one end, and 3/8" in diameter on the other end. 

Toughness 
The Bite Tube is available in 3 color-coded toughness levels:

Standard - This is the softest level, recommended for mild chewers (those who do not chew through anything) and/or those with limited jaw strength

XT / Medium Firm - This is the middle level, which we call XT ("Xtra Tough").  It's firmer, but still fairly chewy, recommended for moderate chewers

XXT / Very Firm - This is the toughest level, which we call XXT ("Xtra Xtra Tough").  It still has some “chewability” to it, but it’s fairly pretty firm (although not as firm/tough as our solid chews). .  

Please supervise at all times, regularly inspect the chew, and replace at first sign of wear and tear.

The Breakaway Necklace Cords (2 Pack) are great for replacing well-loved cords on chewy necklaces! 

• Sold in a pack of 2 cords
• Each cord is 36" from end to end
• Can be adjusted to any shorter length
• Each cord comes with a breakaway clasp
• Please supervise at all times–the clasp is not intended for chewing
• Ages 5+

The Brick Stick Chew Necklace provides a safe, wearable, discreet, and cool solution for those who need to chew.

• Large bumps on one side, small bumps on the other for lots of varied sensory input
• Always replace chews at first sign of wear
• Ages 5+
• Made in USA

This item is non-returnable.

Benefits

• Use this "chewelry" as an oral fidget (or even hand fidget) to help calm, soothe, and self-regulate during times of stress
• Helps better focus during homework and other activities
• Use for sensory oral motor input
• Use as a tool to help strengthen oral motor and facial muscles 
• Great as a safe alternative to chewing/biting on fingers, knuckles, shirts, pencils, etc

Need Fulfilled

• Oral motor and tactile input

Safety Features

• Medical grade silicone
• FDA compliant
• No lead, phthalates, PVC, BPA, or latex
• Breakaway necklace chord

Specs for Brick Stick Necklace

Dimensions
Each pendant measures about 2.5" long, just over ½" wide, and just under ½" thick - perfect for reaching the back molars

3 Color coded toughness levels

Standard - This is the softest level, recommended for mild chewers (those who do not chew through anything).

XT / Medium Firm - This is the middle level, which we call XT ("Xtra Tough").  It's firmer, but still fairly chewy, recommended for moderate chewers.

XXT / Very Firm - This is the toughest level, which we call XXT ("Xtra Xtra Tough").  It still has some “chewability” to it, but it’s fairly rigid / pretty firm.  No chew tool is indestructible, but this is usually the longest lasting level for avid chewers.

Brick Stick Chewable Pencil Topper is perfect for students who try to focus and self-regulate by chewing on their pencil’s eraser. As an added bonus, they also provide extra weight to the pencil, which provides increased hand awareness and promotes proper pencil positioning.

• Comes on a #2 pencil; can be put on other #2 pencils but works best without erasers
• Made in USA
• Ages 6+

This item is non-returnable.

Benefits

• Textured all around for tactile input
• Helps improve mood and focus
• Helps build mouth and tongue muscles

Need Fulfilled

• Oral motor and tactile input

Safety Features

• Medical grade material and FDA compliant 
• No lead, phthalates, PVC, BPA, or latex

Specs for Pencil Toppers

Toughness levels

Standard = the softest / chewiest option, recommended for mild chewing

XT = XT stands for "Xtra Tough," recommended for moderate chewing

XXT = XXT stands for "Xtra Xtra Tough," recommended for those who like the resistance of chewing on very hard items

Dimensions
2.5" long, .6" wide, and about .5" thick

Weight
1 oz

Butter Pencil Grip (2 Pack) was invented by occupational therapist Tina M. Butterfield, MSOT, OTR/L and developed by ARK Therapeutic. The Butter Grip is specially designed to promote proper finger positioning during writing tasks. The fingers "hug" the grip, and the fingertips rest just below the grip on the pencil. In this position, the Butter Grip opens up the web space, provides support to the finger muscles, and can help decrease hyperextension.  

• Can be used with standard pencils, most crayons, and most pens
• Comes in 8 colors
• Ambidextrous
• Ages 3+
• Made in USA

Benefits

• Encourages fine motor development and handwriting legibility
• The round shape of this occupational therapy pencil grip serves as a tactile cue for the fingers to grasp around
• Use the Butter Grip with golf pencils (sold separately) so that beginners or individuals with fine motor difficulties can hold the whole round pencil grip in the palm of their hand for added support
• For those who need extra input to the hand, try putting the second Butter Grip on the opposite end of a regular pencil (near the eraser); this will add a bit more weight to the pencil for added hand awareness and help the pencil "fall into" the web space where it should rest

Need Fulfilled

• Tactile input

Safety Features

• Medical grade
• FDA compliant
• No lead, phthalates, PVC, BPA, or latex

Specs for Butter Pencil Grip

Diameter
1”

The Chewable Bangle Bracelet is a colorful and cool chew that can be stacked for extra sensory input.

• Easy twist-on design
• Great for chewers who can’t wear necklaces or who chew their sleeves
• Available in 3 color coded toughness levels
• Use of this product should be supervised by an adult or therapist at all times
• Always replace chews at first sign of wear
• Made in USA

Benefits

• Great as a hand fidget
• Helps individuals self-regulate and better focus
• Provides a safe alternative to chewing/biting on fingers, knuckles, shirts, sleeves, colors, pencils, etc. 
• Wear more than one at once for added weight / proprioceptive input to the wrists

Need Fulfilled

• Oral motor and tactile input

Safety Features

• FDA compliant
• Lead, phthalates, PVC, BPA, and latex-free

Specs for Bangle Bracelet

Toughness Levels

Standard - This is the softest level, recommended for mild chewers (those who do not chew through anything).

XT / Medium Firm - This is the middle level, which we call XT ("Xtra Tough").  It's firmer, but still fairly chewy, recommended for moderate chewers.

XXT / Very Firm - This is the toughest level, which we call XXT ("Xtra Xtra Tough").  It still has some “chewability” to it, but it’s fairly rigid / pretty firm.  

Sizing:  depending on your fit preferences, the small is typically recommended for a wrist circumference of under 5.5 inches, and the large for over 5.5 inches

Flexi Cut Cups are made of flexible plastic with a cutout designed to promote drinking without neck extension. Unlike other cut cups, our Pink and Blue cups can be gently "squeezed" to change the shape of the cup lip. You can see the liquid through the translucent plastic.

Green Flexi Cut Cup is designed for independent use and is stiffer than the blue or pink cups.

• 3 sizes: Pink (1 oz.), Blue (2 oz.), and Green (7 oz.)
• Top rack dishwasher safe (no heated drying)
• Made in the USA

This item is non-returnable.

Benefits

• Promotes drinking without tilting the head back 
• Provides support for young children just learning to drink from a cup

Need Fulfilled

• Vestibular input

Safety Features

• Latex, lead, phthalate, BPA free

Specs for Flexi Cut Cups

Material
FDA approved polyethylene

The Original Grabber is a great tool for those looking for help with oral motor skills and feeding therapy. Its smooth texture and design make it easy to reach back molars and work on the jaw, while its portable size makes it convenient to take with you wherever you go. Get the help you need with ARK's Original Grabber.

• Has an easy-to-hold loop and a long extension to reach the back molars.
• 3 color-coded toughness levels
• Dishwasher safe
• Made in USA

This item is non-returnable.

Benefits

• Helps decrease oral defensiveness by introducing textures 
• Practice biting/chewing skills without the risk of choking
• Build jaw strength and stability, and exercise the mouth muscles

Need Fulfilled

• Oral motor, tactile and proprioceptive input

Safety Features

• Medical grade and FDA compliant
• No lead, phthalates, PVC, BPA, or latex

Specs for Grabber

Toughness levels

Soft / Standard (Magenta or Red) - recommended for mild chewing, individuals with low oral tone, or individuals with limited jaw strength just learning to bite and chew.  These are the softest ones with the most “squishiness” and “give” to them.

XT / Medium Firm (Lime Green or Teal) - XT stands for "Xtra Tough."  These are firmer, but still fairly chewy.  Recommended for moderate chewers.  Or, individuals working on building jaw strength can eventually "graduate" from the soft to the XT.

XXT / Very Firm (Royal Blue or Forest Green) - XXT stands for "Xtra Xtra Tough."  These are the most firm and provide the most resistance to the jaw.  No chew tool is indestructible, but these are very tough / the longest lasting option for avid chewing.  The Y-Chew XXT is usually the overall longest lasting chew for most avid chewers.

Dimensions
5”Lx2”W

Weight
1.45 oz

The Krypto-Bite Pencil Topper are a safe solution for kids and adults who need to chew. Chewing can be a very effective way to help calm, self-regulate, and focus, so these chewy tools are a perfect pairing for homework, note-taking, and more. As an added bonus, they also add extra weight to the pencil for increased hand awareness and to help the pencil comfortably rest in the web space between the thumb and pointer finger.

• Includes: eraserless pencil
• Chewable items should be regularly inspected for wear and tear and replaced at the first sign of both
• Made in USA
• Ages 6+

This item is non-returnable.

Benefits

• Helps improve mood and focus
• Redirects sensory seeking habits
• Builds oral motor muscles

Needs Fulfilled

• Oral motor and proprioceptive input

Safety Features

• Medical grade and FDA compliant
• No lead, phthalates, PVC, BPA, or latex

Specs for Pencil Topper

Toughness levels

Standard - This is the softest level, recommended for mild chewers (those who do not chew through anything).

XT / Medium Firm - This is the middle level, which we call XT ("Xtra Tough").  It's firmer, but still fairly chewy, recommended for moderate chewers.

XXT / Very Firm - This is the toughest level, which we call XXT ("Xtra Xtra Tough").  It still has some “chewability” to it, but it’s fairly rigid / pretty firm.  No chew tool is indestructible, but this is usually the longest lasting level for avid chewers.

Dimensions
Each topper measures about 2.75" long and ½" in diameter - perfect for reaching the back molars

The Krypto-Bite Chewable Tube Necklace is very similar to its popular gem-shaped cousin with one main difference:  instead of hanging vertically, this tube necklace hangs horizontally.  In other words, the string goes through the whole pendant instead of just through the top.  Use this prism-shaped chew pendant as a safe, discreet, and stylish solution for anyone who needs to chew.  This tube necklace is a great "chewelry" (chewable jewelry) oral sensory solution for both boys and girls, kids and adults to help calm, focus, and self-regulate.

• Available in 3 color-coded toughness levels
• Long enough to reach back molars
• Made in USA
• Ages 5+

This item is non-returnable.

Benefits

• Helps build mouth and jaw muscles
• Can be used as a fidget or for oral motor input
• Helps improve mood and focus
• Redirects sensory seeking habits

Needs Fulfilled

• Proprioceptive and oral motor input

Safety Features

• Medical grade material and FDA compliant 
• No lead, phthalates, PVC, BPA, or latex

Specs for Krypto-Bite Chewable Tube Necklace

Toughness levels

Standard - This is the softest level, recommended for mild chewers (those who do not chew through anything). 

XT / Medium Firm - This is the middle level, which we call XT ("Xtra Tough").  It's firmer, but still fairly chewy, recommended for moderate chewers.

XXT / Very Firm - This is the toughest level, which we call XXT ("Xtra Xtra Tough").  It still has some “chewability” to it, but it’s fairly rigid / pretty firm.  No chew tool is indestructible, but this is usually the longest lasting level for avid chewers.

Package Weight
.7 oz

Dimensions
2.2” wide
½” diameter

The Textured Grabber is a multi-tool that can be used for both oral stimulation/food texture transitions and as a fidget. 

• Has an easy-to-hold loop and a long extension to reach the back molars.
• 3 textured surfaces for tactile input (one smooth, one with circular bumps, and one with rectangular bumps)
• Dishwasher safe
• Made in USA

This item is non-returnable.

Benefits

• Helps decrease oral defensiveness by introducing textures 
• Use it as a safe alternative to chewing on one's hands, shirts, pencils, etc
• Practice biting/chewing skills without the risk of choking
• Build jaw strength and stability, and exercise the mouth muscles
• Use as a fidget tool to improve mood and focus

Need Fulfilled

• Oral motor and tactile input

Safety Features

• Medical grade and FDA compliant
• No lead, phthalates, PVC, BPA, or latex

Specs for Grabber

Toughness levels

Soft / Standard (Magenta or Red) - recommended for mild chewing, individuals with low oral tone, or individuals with limited jaw strength just learning to bite and chew.  These are the softest ones with the most “squishiness” and “give” to them.

XT / Medium Firm (Lime Green or Teal) - XT stands for "Xtra Tough."  These are firmer, but still fairly chewy.  Recommended for moderate chewers.  Or, individuals working on building jaw strength can eventually "graduate" from the soft to the XT.

XXT / Very Firm (Royal Blue or Forest Green) - XXT stands for "Xtra Xtra Tough."  These are the most firm and provide the most resistance to the jaw.  No chew tool is indestructible, but these are very tough / the longest lasting option for avid chewing.  The Y-Chew XXT is usually the overall longest lasting chew for most avid chewers.

Dimensions
5”Lx2”W

Weight
1.45 oz

Y-Chew is an oral motor chew tool with 3 extensions to chew on.  Each "arm" of the Y shape features a different texture: one smooth, one ribbed, and one with gentle bumps for a varying sensory experience. 

• The handle allows for an easy grip, and the extensions on the top part of the "y" make it easy to reach the back molar area 
• Dishwasher safe
• Made in USA
• Ages 3+

This item is non-returnable.

Benefits

• Helps decrease oral sensitivities/food aversions
• Use it to practice biting/chewing skills and build jaw and mouth muscles
• Redirects sensory seeking habits

Need Fulfilled

• Oral motor and tactile input

Safety Features

• Medical grade material and FDA compliant 
• No lead, phthalates, PVC, BPA, or latex

Specs for Y-Chew

Toughness levels

Standard - This is the softest level, recommended for mild chewers (those who do not chew through anything). 

XT / Medium Firm - This is the middle level, which we call XT ("Xtra Tough").  It's firmer, but still fairly chewy, recommended for moderate chewers.

XXT / Very Firm - This is the toughest level, which we call XXT ("Xtra Xtra Tough").  It still has some “chewability” to it, but it’s fairly rigid / pretty firm.  No chew tool is indestructible, but this is usually the longest lasting level for avid chewers.

Dimensions
The handle measures 2½ inches and the extensions measure 1¾ and 1¼ inches

Weight
1.1 oz

The Z-Vibe is a vibratory oral motor tool that can help build oral tone and improve a variety of speech, feeding, and sensory skills. Use it to provide a varied sensory experience and/or to provide targeted tactile cues within the oral cavity. Its gentle vibration provides a new level of sensory stimulation to increase oral focus and draw more attention to the lips, tongue, cheeks, and jaw. Vibration can also be very calming, soothing, and organizing.

Designed with versatility in mind, there are over 35 tip attachments available in various sizes, textures, and resiliencies. From spoons to toothbrushes to pencils and more, the same handle can shift goals simply by switching out one tip for another.

• Battery included (please note: this is a special Vibe Battery not sold in stores - we recommend buying a spare)
• The handle comes with a blue Probe Tip
• Easy to clean
• Made in USA

This item is non-returnable.

Benefits

• Helps build oral motor skills
• Provides targeted tactile cues to build awareness and strengthen muscles in the mouth including: 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
• Provides an opportunity for sensory integration
• Use as a stim tool to encourage focus and mood regulation
• Helps decrease food/texture aversions
• Helps transition from pureed to textured foods
• Use to help transition to toothbrushing

Need Fulfilled

• Oral motor and tactile input

Safety Features

• Medical grade material and FDA compliant 
• No lead, phthalates, PVC, BPA, or latex

Specs for Z-Vibe

Weight
1.3 oz

Dimensions
6.5" in length and less than half of an inch in diameter