Funding Rationale

Chewable Devices Funding Rationale

Chewy Tube Bundle

The Chewy Tube- Super Chews with Cords Set of 6 feature a closed loop handle which is easily grasped by little fingers. The red Super Chew features a textured surface for additional oral stimulation. Length (including handle) approximately 10cm. Super Chews are made of non-toxic, FDA approved materials and are latex-free, lead-free and do not contain PVC or pthalates. Super Chews may be washed with mild soap and water. Replace when there are visible signs of wear.

Includes:

6 x Red (Soft) or Green (Medium) Chewy Tube Super

6 x Breakaway Cords

Chewable Devices Funding Rationale

Chewable Devices help people live their life or makes life better

The use of a chewable device improves the lives of people with (but not limited to):

• Autism
• ADHD
• Anxiety
• Sensory Processing Disorder
• Stroke patients
• Individuals learning to chew and feed
• Individuals that chew/mouth/eat unsafe items
• Individuals who refuse to undertake oral hygiene tasks

Chewable devices:

• Are used to calm in times of high stress, anxiety and de-escalation of behaviour
• Keep individuals calm to carry out their daily activities, enabling greater independence and confidence in the community
• Enables self-soothing in times of anxiety or stress, increasing independence at home and in the community
• Enable users to feel more “grounded” or “present” to carry out daily tasks at home and in the community
• Help prevent infection where individuals bite or suck on their hands, fingers or arms
• Help those who are sensitive to oral stimulation. They are used to desensitise the mouth, lips, and facial areas to enable better feeding
• Are used in situations where an individual is transitioning from tube feeding to being fed orally
• Encourages chewing movements for those who are learning to take solid food
• Decreases sensitivity for those who find it difficult to tolerate teeth brushing and other oral hygiene tasks
• Are used to direct the individual’s attention to certain areas of the mouth for generating speech sounds and improving speech articulation

Chewable Devices are an additional disability support

• Using a chewable device is a strategy in behaviour management and behaviour de-escalation. They provide a calming preventative strategy in a positive way, which is safer than resorting to physical restraint and isolation
• Chewable devices are used to decrease the level of harm in situations where individuals bite others when frustrated, anxious, or stressed. A chewable device is a safer, appropriate alternative
• Chewable devices are specifically designed for people with high oral needs. They provide a dignified and a more socially appropriate way of allowing users to meet their oral needs
• Reduces the need for individuals to seek items in the environment to chew that are potentially hazardous
• Chewable Devices are tools used to increase the engagement of necessary oral hygiene tasks where individuals refuse or are reluctant

Chewable Devices are reasonable and cost effective

• Purchasing of a chewable device has benefits across the day and is used as needed
• Chewable devices can be used across multiple settings to provide consistency and enable independence in the community
• Chewable devices are reusable and washable
• The medical and personal costs associated with infection (where parts of the body are chewed) reduce over time with the use of a chewable device
• Chewable Devices are cost effective as they reduce the potential costs of poor oral hygiene and invasive dental treatment