Chewing on everything

Any suggestions for kindergartner with SPD, needs constant oral input, so mouths, chews on everything. Unable to chew gum because of capped teeth.



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Sep 27, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		Great to find this resource
by: Didne

Hi,
This is for "Anonymous" whose posting appears below. How do you know that the aquarium tubing is non-toxic? The brand I looked at said, "Not for children." My colleagues and I would LOVE to find some that we can be sure is OK for our students to chew on.

Thanks.
Didne
OT

Nov 17, 2009
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chewy
by: Anonymous

my daughter's "chewy" is a necklace made out of colored string and sections of aquarium tubing (found at your local pet store). It is non-toxic and easy to make jewelry out of. Beware that a strong chewer will go through the pieces, but they can easily be replaced.

The plus is that everyone just thinks they are necklaces that she made and compliment her on them. :)
Jan 08, 2010
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starstarstarstarstar 		cranial ostepathy
by: jillb

We've had success with chewy tubes. also friend recommended crainal osteopath co (probably spelt wrong), as he was also spitting and burping lots. Make sure the CO has interest and specialism in children with learning difficulties. The sessions are amazing he actually stays still, as he also has severe ADHD this is outstanding,within 3 months all spitting has stopped he's generally much calmer still get some burping but he's a 9year old boy. Apparently the need for constant chewing, spitting and burping can be the eed for feedback into the brain, who carers it works for my son.
Nov 17, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		chewy
by: Anonymous

my daughter's "chewy" is a necklace made out of colored string and sections of aquarium tubing (found at your local pet store). It is non-toxic and easy to make jewelry out of. Beware that a strong chewer will go through the pieces, but they can easily be replaced.

The plus is that everyone just thinks they are necklaces that she made and compliment her on them. :)
Nov 01, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Chewing on everthing!
by: Sherri

I have really found these things to help.

1. The oral sensory P & Q chew devices. We were introduced to them at our therepay appointment. My daughter was given one to chew on and I was amazed at how much she liked it

2. I also have my daughter drink through straws all the time even for water because sucking provides a lot of oral stimulation

3. I also use the sensory jewlery that is always with her

Also I have noticed patterns in her chewing. ie when she feels stressed over " sensory overload" she tend to need to chew more. Like at school. We also do the sensory hug and that really helps a lot as well.

I have also found that book "The Out Sync Child" to be very helpful it has helped me to understand this disorder. Which in turn has really helped me figure out ways to help my child.

If I can be of any further help please feel free to email me at
slford@mac.com

Best of luck to you.
Oct 31, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		New Diagnosis For Our 8 year Old Daughter!
by: Sherri

We have been to Dr after Dr and have heard everything from she was just bad to autism. We are now finally, after 6 years of knowing that she had a problem and being made to feel like we were trying to find a problem when there was none, have the answers that we have searched for. She has several diagnosises including TBI and sensory processing disorder. She has suffered for a long time and we have really felt helpless to help her through the problems she has had. From chewing through clothing, to not liking certain food textures, and crying over the way clothing, shoes and socks feel.

For any of you parents out there who are going through what we have gone through, keep demanding and know that you are the only advocate that your child has. What has made all the difference in the world in our quest for answers is the fact that we quit asking what could be done and started to insist that the school and the doctors help our child. I am not saying to be over baring but you know your child best.

We are now working with different therapists and doctors and we are on the right track. As a parent I have read everything I could get my hands on and now am learning ways that I can help my child. We still have a long way to go but at least we have answers and that means a lot.
Sep 30, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Clear chew tube
by: Patty

Boy, do I understand! My now 9 yr old has had problems with this for quite awhile. We sent her with chew tubes to school, but they would get lost or stolen and we finally quit when she started feeling too different, chewing on a tube. Then our OT suggested putting clear, latex-free, tubing on the end of her pencil. It wasn't nearly as obvious and it definitely helped give her the stimulation that she needed. On the gross side, spit would inevitably get inside the tube and on to the eraser, but we just switched out pencils every couple of days and let the used one "dry out". It was well worth it!
Sep 26, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Chew necklaces
by: Tracy

Have you tried a chewy necklace? My 2yr old has several, and we made most of them. She has a favorite Chew Tube that we put on a cute ribbon necklace, but sometimes she switches it up and chooses something different. Most of the time, noone notices that her necklaces aren't regular jewelry.
Sep 23, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Straws!
by: Debra

I have an 8 year old that does that. Her OT (she just started) said to have her drink every liquid through a straw. Get a water bottle with a silicone straw and have them use it at their desk at school throughout the day. The sucking will give them the oral stim they need. My DD would chew on her hair and bite chunks off. Within a week of the constant straw usage this stopped.

Good luck!

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