What technique should an occupational therapist recommend to a child with developmental delay to facilitate lip closure?

Recommending a slight upward sweep of the index finger from the lower jaw to the lower lip is an effective technique to facilitate lip closure in a child with developmental delay. This approach provides tactile input and can help enhance awareness of the lips, encouraging the child to engage their oral and facial muscles actively. By initiating this upward movement, the child may find it easier to understand the motor pattern required for lip closure, leading to improved muscle coordination and strength in that area.

In contrast, applying pressure on the lips with the therapist's fingers could lead to discomfort or resistance; it's a passive technique that might not actively engage the child in learning or practicing the skill. Using a straw is a beneficial activity for promoting oral motor skills, but it primarily focuses on sucking rather than specifically on achieving lip closure. Encouraging chewing activities with different textures can also be helpful for oral development, yet it doesn't directly target the specific action of lip closure, which is the primary concern in this case.