When Bharat B. Chandra, the founder of SpeechGears India, stepped into the Shark Tank India arena, he brought more than just a business pitch—he brought a lifeline for millions of Indian families. Showcasing a range of specialized speech therapy tools, the pitch highlighted a critical, often silent struggle: the challenge of finding accessible, professional-grade resources for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Speech Delay.
For many parents, the Shark Tank appearance was a moment of validation. It brought mainstream attention to the reality that speech therapy is not just about "teaching words"—it’s about correcting the physical and sensory challenges that prevent a child from speaking.
This article dives into the "What, Why, and Types" of Autism, explores how SpeechGears’ products aid in recovery, and provides a guide on using them effectively at home.
What is Autism (ASD)?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a person communicates, interacts, and perceives the world. It is not a disease that needs "curing" in the traditional sense, but rather a difference in brain wiring. However, associated challenges—like speech delays, apraxia (difficulty moving mouth muscles), and sensory processing issues—often require therapeutic intervention to help the child lead an independent life.
Why Does It Happen?
There is no single known cause for Autism, but research points to a combination of factors:
- Genetics: Specific gene mutations may increase susceptibility.
- Environmental Factors: Premature birth, exposure to certain toxins, or complications during pregnancy.
- Biological Differences: Abnormalities in brain structure or function.
Types of Autism (The Spectrum)
While modern diagnosis groups everything under ASD, parents often search for these specific terms to understand their child's unique symptoms:
- Non-Verbal Autism: Children who do not speak or use very few words. They often benefit most from SpeechGears’ Oral Placement Therapy (OPT) tools.
- Asperger’s Syndrome: Individuals with average or high intelligence but significant social hurdles.
- Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD-NOS): Atypical autism that doesn’t fit strictly into other categories.
SpeechGears India: The Shark Tank Effect
Founder Bharat B. Chandra started SpeechGears India to bridge the gap between clinical therapy and home care. On Shark Tank, the spotlight was on their medical-grade, "Make in India" products that are affordable and accessible.
The Sharks were introduced to the concept that speech is a motor skill. If a child has weak jaw muscles or low sensory awareness in their tongue, they physically cannot produce sounds, no matter how much they are taught vocabulary. SpeechGears provides the hardware to fix this "hardware problem."
How SpeechGears Products Help in Recovery
SpeechGears offers a comprehensive range of tools designed for Oral Placement Therapy (OPT). Here is how they help:
1. Waking Up the Muscles (Sensory Input)
Many children with Autism have hypotonia (low muscle tone) or hyposensitivity (low feeling) in their mouths. They may not "feel" where their tongue is.
- The Solution: The Vibes (Vibratory Tool) provides gentle vibration to the cheeks, lips, and tongue, "waking up" the muscles and alerting the brain to the mouth area.
2. Strengthening the Jaw
You cannot talk clearly without a stable jaw. If a child’s jaw slides sideways when they talk, their speech will be slurred.
- The Solution: Chewy Tubes and Grabbers are designed to be bitten down on. This repetitive chewing builds jaw stability, which is the foundation for speech sounds like "S," "Z," and "R."
3. Tongue Dissociation
To speak rapidly, the tongue must move independently from the jaw.
- The Solution: Tongue Tip Tools help teach the tongue to move up (elevation) and side-to-side (lateralization) without moving the jaw—critical for sounds like "T," "D," "L," and "N."
Step-by-Step: How to Use SpeechGears for Recovery?
If you are a parent looking to replicate the success stories mentioned by Bharat B. Chandra, here is a simple guide to using these tools at home (ideally under the supervision of a Speech-Language Pathologist).
Step 1: Sensory Activation
- Tool: V-Pen (Vibrating Pen)
- Action: Gently glide the vibrating tip over the child’s lips and cheeks for 1-2 minutes before mealtime or therapy.
- Benefit: Reduces sensory aversion (fear of textures) and prepares the mouth for speech.
Step 2: Jaw Grading Exercises
- Tool: Chewy Tubes (Yellow/Red)
- Action: Place the tube on the back molar. Ask the child to bite down 10 times, then switch to the other side.
- Benefit: Strengthens the jaw muscles to support speech clarity and reduces drooling.
Step 3: Straw Therapy
- Tool: SpeechGears Jaw Bite Block & Straws
- Action: Have the child drink thick liquids (like a smoothie) through a straw. Use a "Jaw Bite Block" to ensure they only use the tip of their lips.
- Benefit: Forces the tongue to retract and the lips to round, correcting the "tongue thrust" swallow pattern that causes speech lisps.
Conclusion
SpeechGears India, led by Bharat B. Chandra, has revolutionized the availability of special needs tools in India. Their appearance on Shark Tank India highlighted a crucial message: Recovery is possible with the right tools.
By understanding the "Why" behind Autism behaviours and using "What" SpeechGears offers—scientific, motor-based tools—parents can actively drive their child's progress. Whether it is reducing drooling, producing the first word, or improving sentence clarity, SpeechGears is empowering families to find their voice.