Chewing

[Buzzerfly]

My little girl is autistic and almost 5 yrs old. She has always liked chewing on things that feel good to her teeth, and she also trims her own fingernails by biting them. But recently, often after moments of forced socialization with others, she has begun chewing her fingers too much, leaving little holes and cuts in them.

We told her that she needed to stop and gave her a plastic lizard to chew on, which she likes well enough. But still, every time she accidentally starts gnawing on her fingers, she panics and gets very upset. She wakes up in the morning, looks at her fingers, and starts crying because she is afraid the skin on her fingers won't grow back. Other times during the day and night she will ask repeatedly if we are sure that her fingers will heal. They are already getting better and weren't that bad to begin with. We continue to explain to her that everything is alright.

Still, she seems so sad about the whole thing. I think, only recently, she is starting to realize that other people out in the world aren't like her and are often unkind...or even not good. Any suggestions for chew options or ways to relieve a little person's stress?

 

[Kisa the tea]

(hug if you're okay with hugs) I'm so sorry that's been happening D: That sounds so stressful for all of you. I don't think I'm much help on the problem as i've never had the chewing but I would recommend one site:

Stim Toys and Fidgets

If you ever need others that aren't too expensive. (pretty much all purchases on this site come with a free armband too. I've bought a lot from them before.)

 

[Streetwise]

My little girl is autistic and almost 5 yrs old. She has always liked chewing on things that feel good to her teeth, and she also trims her own fingernails by biting them. But recently, often after moments of forced socialization with others, she has begun chewing her fingers too much, leaving little holes and cuts in them.

We told her that she needed to stop and gave her a plastic lizard to chew on, which she likes well enough. But still, every time she accidentally starts gnawing on her fingers, she panics and gets very upset. She wakes up in the morning, looks at her fingers, and starts crying because she is afraid the skin on her fingers won't grow back. Other times during the day and night she will ask repeatedly if we are sure that her fingers will heal. They are already getting better and weren't that bad to begin with. We continue to explain to her that everything is alright.

Still, she seems so sad about the whole thing. I think, only recently, she is starting to realize that other people out in the world aren't like her and are often unkind...or even not good. Any suggestions for chew options or ways to relieve a little person's stress?

Dates very chewy good for nervousness full of the amino acid tryptophan the happy satisfied calming chemical or licquorice root but not too much it's an appetite suppressant or a variety of nuts vit b good for nerves also a variety of seeds vit b again

 

[Warmheart]

Check out some of the "chewelry" on the Stimtastic website.

You can also get her. "Playable art ball" toy from Fat Brain Toys. It looks colorful, us fun to fidget with, but it gives very strong proprioception to the hands (that's what she's getting out of biting them), when the wooden spheres now and again "bite" the hands of the person playing with it.

She's sensory-seeking to manage her stress. Try switching the sensory input to something equally powerful, but whole-body and non-injurious. Examples of strong vestibular, proprioceptive, and kinesthetic sensory input which could help her if done on a regular basis are swinging vigorously on a swingset, jumping on a trampoline or even a mini trampoline, swimming, rope climbing. I strongly recommend getting an OT consult from an OT who does sensory integration/sensory profile/sensory diet.

Best success!

 

[Alaska]

I wonder if part of the stimulus she is seeking is just the chewing itself. I have found it so for myself. I often carry things like trail mix, crackers, dried fruit, nuts or carrot or celery sticks in zip sandwich bags to substitute for chewing my nails, etc.

 

[the_tortoise]

Maybe chewable rings she could wear on her fingers, or a chewy bracelet?

 

[Buzzerfly]

Thank you everyone! Helpful suggestions. I live in Mexico, so ordering stim products is out for now. But I looked through them for the first time and many look really cool. I made a mental wish list for later. She already likes carrots but never thought of them as chewing options. Good idea. Also, I like the sound of dates/nuts.

 

[Buzzerfly]

(hug if you're okay with hugs) I'm so sorry that's been happening D: That sounds so stressful for all of you. I don't think I'm much help on the problem as i've never had the chewing but I would recommend one site:

Stim Toys and Fidgets

If you ever need others that aren't too expensive. (pretty much all purchases on this site come with a free armband too. I've bought a lot from them before.)

I like hugs from friendly people, so thank you! This stuff looks cool and surprisingly less expensive than I thought they would be.

 

[Streetwise]

My little girl is autistic and almost 5 yrs old. She has always liked chewing on things that feel good to her teeth, and she also trims her own fingernails by biting them. But recently, often after moments of forced socialization with others, she has begun chewing her fingers too much, leaving little holes and cuts in them.

We told her that she needed to stop and gave her a plastic lizard to chew on, which she likes well enough. But still, every time she accidentally starts gnawing on her fingers, she panics and gets very upset. She wakes up in the morning, looks at her fingers, and starts crying because she is afraid the skin on her fingers won't grow back. Other times during the day and night she will ask repeatedly if we are sure that her fingers will heal. They are already getting better and weren't that bad to begin with. We continue to explain to her that everything is alright.

Still, she seems so sad about the whole thing. I think, only recently, she is starting to realize that other people out in the world aren't like her and are often unkind...or even not good. Any suggestions for chew options or ways to relieve a little person's stress?

Another thing she could try craft :sculpting ,greeting card making ,flower arranging ,crochet, knitting,gardening can be done anywhere,its what I do ,reading paperback books anywhere,rosary beads,worry beads,

 

[Streetwise]

Don't give her anything acrylic to chew it's poisonous. make sure it's been safety tested before you give her it somethings evade a countries trading standards and they are dangerous

 

[the_tortoise]

Thank you everyone! Helpful suggestions. I live in Mexico, so ordering stim products is out for now. But I looked through them for the first time and many look really cool. I made a mental wish list for later. She already likes carrots but never thought of them as chewing options. Good idea. Also, I like the sound of dates/nuts.

Are you near to any stores that sell beer-making supplies? The food-grade silicone tubing that hobbyist brewers use is good for chewing, and you can cut it to whatever size you want.

 

[sanlim]

My cousin also mouths and chews to satisfy sensory input - bites his fingers, or puts anything in his mouth he can get a hold of. We got him a chew necklace and it works wonders. He just wears it around his neck and it's a great alternative distraction. Got it on Amazon for full price but saw it for 50% off right now for Cyber Monday! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077BL7Z4K?th=1 Hope it'll help