Mouth Stick

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A mouth stick is an assistive device typically used by individuals with limited or no use of their hands or arms. It consists of a stick or rod that is held in the mouth, allowing the user to perform various tasks such as typing on a keyboard, operating electronic devices, turning pages, pressing buttons, or even painting or drawing.

  • Academic
    • Writing
  • Access
    • Electronic
    • Environmental
    • Physical

Low - Mid Tech

Considerations

Take the following considerations into account when selecting and implementing AT to ensure that the chosen tools are well-suited to the student’s needs, align with their goals, and seamlessly integrate into their educational journey. By embracing a collaborative approach and considering the specific skills, tasks, and implementation context, educators can provide students with the necessary support to thrive academically and functionally, promoting inclusivity and fostering their overall success.

Find potential contacts within your LEA and at your ESC for support.

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  • Occupational Therapist (OT): An OT may be a member of the multidisciplinary team that evaluates or reevaluates students suspected of having a disability, including dysgraphia, and participates as an Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) committee member in writing the Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP), drafting annual goals, and recommending assistive technology services and/or the related services of occupational therapy. An OT may provide services that are academic and/or functional in nature. Examples are graphomotor skills needed for handwriting; fine motor skills which include small, finely coordinated hand movements; visual perceptual skills which include the ability to understand and interpret what is seen; visual motor skills which include the ability to coordinate visual and motor skills; and/or self-care skills which include feeding, dressing, hygiene, and toileting skills for increasing independence in necessary life skills. The OT may be a member of the Local Education Agency (LEA) assistive technology (AT) team.
  • Physical Therapist (PT): A PT may be a member of the multidisciplinary team that evaluates or reevaluates students suspected of having a disability and participates as an Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) committee member in writing the Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP), drafting annual goals, and recommending assistive technology services and/or the related service of physical therapy. A PT may provide services that are academic and/or functional in nature depending on the age or grade-level of the student's curriculum. Physical therapy in schools primarily addresses gross motor skills of students, and may include exercises designed to develop strength and endurance, range of motion, and flexibility. The PT may be a member of the LEA assistive technology (AT) team.

What skills or tasks will the student utilize this tool for? What areas, functional or academic, does this tool support?

  • Typing aid
  • Page turner
  • Painting and drawing
  • Lifting and arranging small objects and clothes
  • Pressing any kind of buttons (doorbell, TV remote, dishwasher)
  • Interacting with technology (touchscreens, for example)
  • Pinch small objects (for this a special mouth stick with double ending in the pinching end is needed)
  • Playing games

In what activities, classes, or environments will the student utilize this tool?

Mouth sticks come in different lengths and materials to suit individual needs and preferences. Some may have attachments or modifications for specific tasks, such as a rubber tip for touchscreen devices or a stylus for writing. This technology enables greater independence and accessibility for individuals with disabilities by allowing them to interact with their environment and perform everyday tasks more easily.

Resources and Training

CFR 300.324(a)(2)(v) requires the Admission Review and Dismissal (ARD) committee to consider whether a child needs assistive technology devices and services in the development, review, and revision of their IEP. This resource is intended to serve as a repository of the most commonly used AT resources to assist users with understanding the purpose of each AT tool, aspects of use for consideration within IEP development for students, and additional AT implementation resources.

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