Tag Archives: therapist resources

Explore curated resources for therapists, including intervention tools, educational materials, assessment supports, and treatment strategies. Designed for therapists and educators, these resources help professionals plan effective sessions, support diverse client needs, and stay current with best practices in therapeutic and educational settings.

Levels of Whistle and Blow Toys Explained

Oral Motor, Sensory Regulation, , , , ,

Whistle and blow toys are more than just fun — they’re powerful tools in oral motor therapy that support breath control, lip closure, sensory regulation, and multisensory integration. Whether used by occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, or other pediatric specialists, whistle and blow toys can be strategically selected and graded to match a child’s specific needs and abilities.

In the clinical guide M.O.R.E.: Integrating the Mouth With Sensory and Postural Functions, the authors explain how oral motor activities engage the sensory and postural systems simultaneously. Blowing activates the muscles of respiration and the oral-motor system while also stimulating alerting or calming effects, depending on intensity and pacing. Synchronizing breath with visual tracking or postural tasks further enhances body awareness and regulation. Selecting the right level of whistle or blow toy ensures that the activity challenges the child appropriately and supports therapeutic progress.

Understanding the Levels

Level 1 Whistles – Low Resistance, High Accessibility

These are ideal for children with reduced breath support or limited oral motor control. They require minimal pressure and allow success with less precise lip closure.

Echo microphone blow toy

Therapro Recommendations:

Level 2 Whistles – Moderate Breath Control Required


 These tools are appropriate for children who have mastered basic breath activation and are ready to develop sustained airflow and coordination.

Therapro Recommendations:

  • Whistling Straws: Require focused airflow, ideal for mid-level strength building.
  • Floating Ball Game: Combines visual tracking with breath control, great for synchronizing breath and eye coordination.
Floating Ball Game blow toy

Level 3 Whistles – High Resistance, Advanced Control

These challenge even strong blowers. They demand powerful, sustained breath and refined control, activating deeper postural and respiratory systems.

Balloon Car Racer blow toy

Therapro Recommendations:

Therapeutic Benefits

  • Breath Support & Control: Essential for speech production, sustained phonation, and self-regulation.
  • Oral Motor Development: Enhances strength and coordination of the lips, cheeks, and tongue.
  • Sensory Regulation: Blowing can be alerting or calming, depending on resistance and activity structure.
  • Multisensory Integration: Eye-breath coordination and posture-breath synchrony help develop attention and motor planning.

Therapro’s full line of whistle and blow toys is organized to help therapists and parents choose developmentally appropriate tools that support targeted outcomes. For a deeper understanding of how oral motor input integrates with sensory and postural systems, consider adding M.O.R.E. to your resource library.

Explore Therapro’s oral motor therapy tools today and discover how simple, affordable tools can deliver powerful therapeutic results.

Guest Blogger: Karen Conrad Weihrauch, PhD, OTR/L

Smart Tips for Year-End Success

School-Based Practice, Therapist Resources, , ,

As the school year winds down, therapists play a vital role in helping students transition smoothly while supporting carryover of skills during the summer. The end of the academic year isn’t just about closing cases—it’s a strategic time to restock, refocus, and empower families with tools to maintain progress. Below are smart tips for year-end success to focus on as you wrap up your school-based therapy services.

Smart Tip #1: Reflect, Reorganize, and Reset

Use the final weeks of school to reflect on what worked, what didn’t, and what needs restocking. This is the ideal time to refresh your therapy materials and take inventory of frequently used supplies.

Top Items to Restock Before Summer:

Ergonomic pencil grip tool for improving handwriting comfort and control

Pencil Grips – Essential tools for grasp development and writing support. Stock up here: Pencil Grips at Therapro

Ink Refills for LegiLiners – Don’t start next year with dry rollers: Ink for LegiLiners

LegiLiner Double Solid Line 3/8' tall, Pen Style Rolling Ink Stamp
With line paper assortment by therapro

Raised Line & Highlighter Paper – Great for visual and tactile feedback: Explore Paper Options

This is also a great time to tidy your space, digitize records, and prep templates so you can start strong in the fall.

Smart Tip #2: Prepare Students for Smooth Transitions

Transitions can be especially challenging for students with developmental, sensory, or executive functioning differences. Help families support consistency and reduce stress at home by sending home visuals and tools to keep routines familiar.

Recommended Tools for Families:

Schkidules visual schedule display

SchKIDules Deluxe Collection Box Set – A visual scheduling system that helps parents establish and maintain daily routines over the summer.

Sensational Fun – A helpful resource packed with sensory-based activities to keep kids regulated and engaged at home.

Sensational Fun

You can also send home personalized routine charts, task analyses, or social stories to reinforce carryover.

Smart Tip #3: Send Home a Summer Skill Maintenance Checklist

Instead of assembling and sending home summer kits (which may not be practical for every therapist), consider offering families a simple, printable guide packed with low-cost, everyday ideas. The Ready, Set, Summer! Home Activity Guide helps caregivers turn ordinary household items into meaningful skill-building moments.

Encourage families to weave therapy into daily routines and play—because supporting development doesn’t have to mean structured lessons or expensive materials!

What’s Inside the Guide:

  • 🧺 Easy-to-find tools like clothespins, Tupperware, and sidewalk chalk
  • 🛋️ DIY obstacle course ideas using furniture and masking tape
  • ✂️ Fun ways to practice cutting, strengthening, and fine motor skills
  • 🧠 Everyday activities turned into therapy moments (like sorting laundry!)
  • 🛍️ Product recommendations including Therapy Putty and Adapted Scissors

📥 Download the Ready, Set, Summer! Home Activity Guide to share with families and caregivers today!

Smart Tip #4: Set Yourself Up for Fall

You know how hectic back-to-school season can be—so set up “future you” for success now. Clean and label bins, prep materials you’ll need in the first few weeks, and store go-to activities where they’re easy to find.

Need to upgrade your setup? Check out our Tools for Therapists, including Office Plus Everyday Wobble Chair, Office Adjustable Pivot Stool, and fidgets to promote better posture and productivity.

Smart Tip #5: Don’t Forget You

The end of the school year is a time to celebrate your hard work and impact. Make space for rest and recharge this summer. Whether you’re attending professional development, diving into a new book, or simply taking a break, your well-being is vital.

Looking to grow your skills? Therapro offers free on-demand webinars, blogs, and professional resources to support your learning all year long.

Final Thought:
 The end of the school year is a moment to celebrate progress—and set students up for success. With a bit of planning and the right tools, therapists can empower families to keep the momentum going all summer long.

Wrap-Up with Confidence

As you wrap up this school year, know that the small steps you take now can ease transitions, prevent skill loss, and give both students and therapists a strong start for the fall. From summer activity ideas to transition tools and therapy essentials, Therapro is here to support you every step of the way.

👉 Explore all of these tools and more at Therapro.com!

Spring Purchasing Trends in Education

School-Based Practice, Therapist Resources, , ,

Spring Purchasing Trends in Education are in full bloom as educators and therapists look to refresh learning spaces and support student success. This season brings a surge in demand for tools that foster development, promote sensory regulation, and encourage hands-on learning. Explore the top trends shaping spring purchases—along with Therapro’s expert product recommendations to meet each need.

Spring Purchasing Trend #1: Sensory and Emotional Regulation

Products that aid sensory processing and emotional regulation are essential for creating inclusive and focused classrooms. These tools help students manage sensory overload and improve concentration.

Child wearing the ProPower Compression vest for sensory regulation

Therapro Recommendations:

Spring Purchasing Trend #2: Inclusive and Adaptive Learning Tools

With a continued focus on inclusivity, schools are purchasing adaptive tools that cater to students with special needs.

Therapro Recommendations:

  • Adapted Scissors: A wide range of adapted scissor options are available to support students’ diverse needs- from tabletop scissors that support one-handed use to spring-loaded scissors for hands with decreased grip strength.
  • Visual Timers: Visual timers and schedules are an essential support for young learners and especially for learners still developing executive function skills.
Push down scissors assistive technology solution

Spring Purchasing Trend #3: Classroom Organization and Flexibility

Flexible classroom setups are increasingly important, and educators are investing in furniture and tools that can be easily adjusted to suit different learning styles.

Kore Kids Wobble Chair for dynamic movement while seated

Therapro Recommendations:

  • Kore Design Wobble Chair: Provides flexible seating that supports focus and comfort.
  • Collapsible Slant Boards: Easy to store and perfect for various learning activities. Helps with writing posture and provides stability for students with handwriting challenges.

Spring Purchasing Trend #4: STEM and STEAM Learning Materials

With the increasing focus on STEM and STEAM education, schools are investing in hands-on products that promote problem-solving, creativity, and critical thinking. These tools help foster engagement and deeper understanding of core concepts.

Therapro Recommendations:

  • Design & Drill Marble Maze: This interactive kit lets students design their own mazes, combining engineering, problem-solving, and fine motor skills to create a fun and challenging learning experience.
  • Flexitables: These innovative educational tools are designed to make learning math a hands-on and engaging experience.
Flexitable: Addition and Subtraction

Spring Purchasing Trend #5: Self-Care and Daily Living Skills

As health and hygiene continue to be top priorities, there is a growing emphasis on teaching students essential self-care skills. Products that support hygiene routines and promote independence are in high demand this spring.

Self-Care with Flair!

Therapro Recommendations:

  • Self-Care with Flair!: This fun and engaging curriculum helps children develop essential self-care skills, such as grooming, dressing, and personal hygiene, in an interactive and empowering way.
  • Webber® Activities of Daily Living Tips and Teaching Companion: A comprehensive resource for educators and therapists that supports effective teaching of essential self-care skills while accommodating diverse learning styles.

Spring purchasing trends in education highlight a focus on inclusivity, flexibility, and hands-on learning. From sensory regulation tools to STEM resources, these products help create dynamic and engaging learning environments. With Therapro’s range of specialized products, educators and therapist can find the right tools to meet the unique needs of their students and ensure a successful school year ahead.