STRATEGIES FOR DECREASING DROOLING
 
 1. Teach awareness of “wet” versus “dry.”  Praise and encourage dryness and wiping.  For example:  “Your chin is dry.  That’s great.” “Your chin
is wet. Please wipe it.  Get it dry.”  “I saw you wipe your chin dry.  Good job!”
 
 2. Teach awareness of swallowing. Use a spray bottle or eye dropper to squirt small amounts of ice cold water into the mouth. Suck on

popsicles or ice cubes. Sip or use a straw to drink ice water from a cup. Feel the “swallow muscles” work with your fingers. Again, praise and

encourage swallowing.  For example: “You wiped your chin dry. Now swallow.” “Every time you wipe, I want you to swallow.”

 

 3. Increase lip strength and closure. Practice a variety of facial expressions in a mirror using your lips. Make lip sounds like smacking, and

“raspberries.” Blow on flat-mouthed horns. Blow bubbles. Blow through straws. Apply pressure to the lips with fingers or brush them with a soft

bristled toothbrush. Exercise the lips by kissing a stuffed toy or mirror image 20x, or repeating “ba, ba, ba, pa, pa, pa, ma, ma, ma.” Fill your

cheeks with air and keep your lips closed. Hum. Hold a straw or tongue depressor between the lips, without using your teeth.

 

 4. Increase self-monitoring and self-care skills. During short, 15 minute or less activities, set a timer for 2 minute intervals. When it rings, say,

“Check your chin. See if it is wet or dry.” Use a mirror if necessary. Gradually fade your cues and prompts. Place athletic wrist bands or

sweatbands on each wrist. Encourage wiping once with each wrist, then swallowing. This will assure stimulation to and dryness of both sides of

the lips and chin.
 
 

Resources:
 
 

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