For Therapists Discovering Us for the First Time
Totchop is a reimagined take on traditional rocker knives, originally developed outside of the OT world. What we've found, between our sharp version and the upcoming "dulled" version, is that the products fill a critical ADL gap in therapy centers, home use, and school-based programs. Whether you're supporting pediatric or adult clients, here's how we help:
Totchop's lineup is ideal for individuals with:
- Hemiplegia / unilateral weakness
- Cerebral palsy
- Stroke recovery or TBI
- Visual impairments or blindness
- Down syndrome
- Arthritis (juvenile and adult)
- Developmental coordination disorder (DCD)
- Autism (supporting sensory-friendly engagement)
- Spinal cord injuries (limited grip/dexterity)
- Limb difference or amputation
Why OTs & SLPs Love It
- It works - even the dulled version leads to greater independence
- One-handed use with curved blade + stable board
- Easy to clean (all dishwasher-safe)
- Concave cutting surface stabilizes food
- Blunt-tip blade reduces puncture risk
- Universal grip design
- Supports feeding therapy for dysphagia, oral-motor delays, or sensory aversions
- Promotes engagement for requesting, labeling, and turn-taking during meals
- Bite-size measuring guides for safe food sizing
- Promotes bilateral coordination (for bimanual or assistive tasks)
- Encourages participation in scissor skill units and meal prep
- Inclusive design for kids (4+) through adults
- Supports independence at home, school, or in therapy
How It All Started
When I first launched Totchop, my goal was simple: help parents safely and quickly cut their kids’ food into bite-sized pieces (launched after a choking scare with my daughter). But like many great things, totchop’s purpose grew well beyond its original intent.
We started hearing from individuals with disabilities — and the occupational therapists (OTs) who support them — about how totchop’s ability to be used with one hand and keep food in place made it a game-changing tool for independence in the kitchen.
Then came the Disabilities Expo in Fort Wayne, Indiana. We were invited to show totchop, and the response was immediate. People with arthritis, CP, limb differences, and more lit up when they tried it. Nearly a dozen OTs stopped by our booth and offered to collaborate — giving us feedback, ideas, and validation we didn’t even know we needed.
An OT with Riley Children's Hospital then recommended we attend the AOTA Inspire Conference in Philadelphia (April 2025), where we debuted our upcoming kids' knife. The energy at the event was electric — hundreds of OTs from across the country gave incredible insights and shared how this tool could help in classrooms, clinics, and home programs.
Stories That Drive Us
One moment I’ll never forget was during a visit to a center for the blind in Indiana. A man named Mark, blind since birth and with use of only one hand, picked up a prototype of our new kids’ knife. Using it with the totchop board, he independently diced a raw carrot — for the first time in his life. I had to pull over on the drive home, overwhelmed by what just happened.
Then there’s Hayden, a 4-year-old with cerebral palsy that affects her left hand. Her dad, Drew Valentine (head coach at Loyola-Chicago), and her mom shared this with us:
“Hayden was very excited and confident to use the knife! She cut up all of her snack on her first try. It fits her hand well, there are no sharp edges, and it’s allowed her to be included in the kitchen — cutting her own berries, apples, pancakes, everything. As a mom, I’d absolutely recommend it to anyone who relies mostly on one hand — or even parents short on hands while holding a baby!”
This is exactly what we want totchop to be: a tool that brings safety, confidence, and joy into everyday routines.
What’s Next
Totchop’s journey into the disabilities space is just beginning. We’re building partnerships with therapists, universities, and disability foundations to continue improving and adapting our product line.
If you’d like to hear more, I was recently interviewed on the Assistive Technology Update podcast, where I shared this story and what’s coming next. You can listen on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Thanks for being a part of this journey — especially to the OTs, families, and individuals who’ve helped us see totchop in a whole new light.
– Matt