Pressure on chin

My son is four years old and he is autistic.




Lately, he is been having this issue where he has to roll his chin against my elbow bone or any bones in my hand, my wrist . It hurts but apparently it makes him feel good. nothing i can do to make him stop. He attends a special school and they are not able to figure it out either.

Has anyone has any experience with similar issue?

Thank you.



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Aug 07, 2024
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Chinning
by: Anonymous

My grandson presses his face onto fingers while squeezing with his hands to express annoyance or frustration.
Mar 01, 2024
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Chin Pressure
by: Anonymous

We have used a foam block (square shape)from our play set of foam blocks for our boy. Every time he tries to push his chin on us we say no and hold the block to his chin. We give some pressure on the block to his chin and let him push his chin to it. This has helped prevent him from trying to chin on us as it really does hurt! And he will only get bigger and stronger! We just keep the foam block in a fanny pack to have with us at all times.
Jan 25, 2024
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Chinning.
by: Anonymous

Aspie OT, your advice has been invaluable. Thank you for sharing.
Jan 08, 2024
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Reversing Autism
by: Anonymous

You might not believe it, but read the book Nemechek Protocol 2nd Edition, and give it a try. Please remember that healing is a slow process. God bless you
Mar 26, 2023
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Chin pressure
by: Tim chasteen

My son is 26 and has been doing this since he was around 4 years of age . Still does it to this age he is usually upset when he does it and showing he is in pain we give him meds for headaches and cbd oil for his anxiety . It does calm him down but it takes a bit . Still not knowing what is causing this and recently I’ve notice he is also covering his nose area while doing it ? He has been dealing with a cold lately so thinking his sinuses are bothering him ? Still no real reason why he does this ..
Jan 06, 2023
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Chin itching
by: Sydalise Jean Charles

My daughter is 11 years old. She is autistic. Right now we are at children's hospital for behavior change. She keeps pressing her chin on me and on my wrist every half hour .This is really annoying and hurtful.

I wonder if there is no medications that can helps her. This is painful, sad to see her struggle with that.
Jun 09, 2022
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Yes Yes and Yes
by: Anonymous

My now 16 year old son Autism,ADHD,SPD does this and leave bruised on my hands ( his preferred place to do it) Gosh it hurts so bad some times. The only thing that is starting to get him out of it is I bought a Wrist brace and have him use it to chin on- it has the hard metal covered by fabric. He still prefers to use my hand but I just keep handing him the brace instead. I will admit I will still let him chin me if he is persistent on it. I also bought him BLACK theraputty off of amazon and that helps too. So glad non of us are alone in all of this :)
Jan 22, 2022
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		My daughter
by: Anonymous

My daughter just gone 5 years old does this. I also found this looking for an answer it to see if any other people have experienced it. She is diagnosed with autism and has been seeking pressure on her chin daily for quite some time. I can’t figure out what triggers it or makes her do it, but I agree it can hurt!
Dec 04, 2021
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		19 and autistic here. I do this.
by: Anonymous

I have ADHD and high functioning autism so I can shed some light on this habit. I found this page by trying to research why I did it and this actually helped me understand a bit more. I have the tendency to rub my chin on things often. Especially when I'm not on my ADHD meds. Whether it be the bone of my own hand at the bottom of the palm, my knee when I'm sitting down, or something else.

I never really had a reason of my own to do this. It was like a distraction or a fidget in my mind. It does feel quite relaxing however. Similar to the way a massage would feel.

I still seek the true psychological answer to this though as I enjoy helping people learn more about the autism spectrum to help remove the stigma around it.
Apr 08, 2021
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Omw so relieved I'm not alone.
by: Anonymous

My son is autistic and is 11 and he has been chinning and head butting since he was 6 and gave never had any real answers given for this. Like some of you parents whis children have said they like the pressure of it, I agree there my son is non verbal and therefore can't tell me but it feels like he wants me to literally squash his skull his skull in, I've tried a head brace which he hates, vibration doesnt give him what he seeks, he has chew toys which he enjoys but none of these give him that head, jaw and chin squeeze hes looking for. I assume hes looking for that sensation like some need for their bodies once they have been squeezed that sensory need has been met
Sep 14, 2020
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		The TV phones and tablets (chin/elbow)
by: Michael

The devices are not what they used to be.
They are too stimulating for my son. I had a hunch because the behavior would worsen when he was watching tv, which already is very little. I put us on a week long detox and it almost stopped completely. I also noticed under stimulation would do it too, if he was bored. So really it’s about a balance. Do your research about tv and kids. That coupled with adjusting his diet from McDonald’s to some more green choices Have worked the best.

Btw I realize this is hard work because parenting is if you’re participating. It is also the greatest thing you can experience. We’re not perfect and we do the best we can.

Lessen the screen time and healthier diet worked for me.

He loves smoothies!
Apr 06, 2020
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		vibrating pillow?
by: Anonymous

Hi! Has anyone tried a vibrating pillow? I have a client that chins and lately it has gotten much worse, and aggressive. I agree with another post, I feel like he needs input for his entire body. I was thinking maybe a vibrating pillow that he can squeeze tightly would be helpful. Has anyone tried that? Otherwise, we've tried sensory breaks on a trampoline, doing movement to silly songs, jumping and playing, squishy ball onto his chin, theraputty...
Jan 30, 2020
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		My son is 2 years old
by: Anonymous

He just turned 2 and has been putting his chin against my arm, shoulder and legs . He usually smiles and laughs when he does it and gets sad if I tell him to stop . He hasn’t been diagnosed with autism or sensory disorder but he does have some sensory issues which include him to always have socks on and pants , he hates bath time no matter how fun I try to make it for him or even if I go sit in the tub with him it’s just a complete nightmare for him . He also tends to touch his earlobes randomly no matter the situation if he’s in a bad mood or not .
Jul 24, 2019
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Chinning
by: Brenda

My autistic son does this and boy oh boy does it hurt. He says it feels good and will do it as hard as he can. He looks for tender areas like the top of my hand or the side of my knee.

He also pushes the top of his head as hard as he can against various parts of my body. He also puts his hands over my hands that are on top of his head and pushes down while bracing his feet against something to push.

He constantly asks me to put pressure on opposite sides of various places on his head and squeeze as hard as I can many times using is own hands to apply added pressure. We have a house rule which is no headbutting or chinning except on Mom's palm, but often he does what he wants. He goes to an autistic school and they see it a lot with kids with sensory processing disorder.

I just know that my son says it makes his head feel good.
Feb 26, 2019
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Haha, yes
by: Kelsey

My son is 3 with SPD and also does chin pressure. I much prefer that input to biting, but if I provide jaw/cheek pressure or give him a vibrating toy to use on himself, he will usually stop chinning me. We've had no luck with chewies as he refuses to use them.
Feb 22, 2019
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Aspie OT
by: Anonymous

Hello everyone...

I'm curious of best practices anyone has found for this. I work with children who have SPD and ASD and am currently trying various chewelry to chew as an alternative form of proprioception to the muscles of the jaw (theory is that when they are tense and uncomfortable such as when stressed/anxious, this deep pressure activates the golgi-tendon bodies responsible for proprioceptive feedback). Children I work with have not been interested in direct external massage of the muscles.

Another idea I have and am interested in is use of a vibrating nuk or toothbrush to provide prop that way.... I also have a colleague who filled a small balloon with flour for his student to use and press against his chin instead of against another person. My concern is the stress/pressure on the teeth.

If safe chew options like chewlery don't work, perhaps a mouthguard inserted and then pressing on bottom of own chin to a squish ball (or sensory squish filled balloon) might be an option to try....

I personally need the whole body input- hugs. Big, tight hugs, and many of them throughout the day. I've never firsthand experienced the desire or need for extra oral pressure.

As a school based Occupational Therapist I don't have my own child or the monetary means to try everything I think of but am curious if any of you try these things and could leave feedback I would love to hear about it!
Oct 21, 2018
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		To parents
by: Anonymous

My child is going through everything in all of the posts I see on this forum, and what I did for my child Is take sugar out of her diet and buy the good probiotics to break down the food intake.

I suggest go to your local herb store. I am all natural for my children but remember all children have different stomach conditions. I suggest you see a doctor first then if nothing works try healthy planet.

My child never slept until now she does have constipation from time to time, but after giving her probiotics for children it was a big relief.

good luck everybody.
Jul 26, 2018
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Yes
by: Anonymous

My 6 year old with autism has been doing this for years. He will jump on me an shove his chin into my leg, stomach, arm, or wherever and sometimes says wiggle wiggle wiggle while he’s doing it. Lol..

I don’t have any answers why. Sometimes he does it when he’s upset, but other times he’s perfectly happy when he does it.
Jul 16, 2018
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		My daughter does this too.
by: Shannon

My daughter, who does not have autism, but does have sensory processing disorder and anxiety puts pressure on her chin. She has explained that she does this because she says her chin hurts and/or feels weird.

For a long time she believed that it would prevent her from throwing up. (She developed a phobia to throwing up to the point that she stopped eating for an extended period of time.) She takes the butt of her palm and pushes it as hard as she can into her chin and holds it there. It usually happens just before a panic attack, and has become a signal for her adults that she needs some support.

As she has gotten older (almost 10), we've seen it less and less, but it will come back occasionally during big transition times (like when the school year is ending, right before she had her tonsils out, or we are going to take a trip.)
Jul 14, 2018
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		"Chinning"
by: Jweb

My son is 4 years old and he has autism. He likes to push his chin into my knees and into peoples hands, his sisters back.. I know it's a sensory thing but I wonder if theres some kind of way we can get him the sensory input hes looking for so he could potentially find some comfort.. he seems to get very upset if I dont let him..
Aug 24, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		I'm not the only one!!!!
by: Vanessa

I have heard it called sensory seeking, proporoceptive seeking, self injuries behavior.... My one friend who has a child with autism says that her son did it when he had c difficil which is a gi disorder which most kid with autism have some sort of underlying gut issue usually caused by lack of the necessary bacteria in the digestive system.

That being said, I've tried everything to get my son to stop the pressure, he likes to put my bones ( elbow, knuckles, hip bones) and press them into the spot inbetween his eyes. It hurts so bad, and it bruises his face badly too. He also picks his face like a meth addict. His poor face is so tore up. I pray to God to help home very day. I have tried giving him cbd oil because I am completely against pharmaceutical meds
Apr 22, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Yes!
by: Melinda

I have a middle school classroom for kids with autism, as well as a kiddo of my own. I have noticed this behavior for years with my students, but got no answers from various OT's and nurses. I finally posted this question to my moms support group,and a fabulous mom found this. I am so glad! Thank you!
Jun 17, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Elbow Biter!
by: Anonymous

My 4 year old Thomas has been shoving my elbow in the side of his cheek/chin/mouth for a long time now (6 months +) and for the last 3 months he tries biting as hard as he can when he can't shove the elbow anymore. How do I make him stop? I try hiding my elbows because when he sees it he has to feel it. He does this to his dad and is starting to do it to his 6 year old sister.
Jan 28, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Same!
by: Lucie

My 4 yr old has been doing this for about 6 months now.. He will press his chin down on any bony part of me and grits his teeth as he does so.. He is un diagnosed but has several tendencies that align with Aspergers and SPD.
Dec 19, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		I hear you
by: Nat

My son did the same thing, where he would put pressure on his chin, until he got the input. He would use me or my husbands head, or anything else he could use. It definitely is sensory seeking, where he is craving the input. He doesn't do it anymore. It lasted several months. I imagine it will fade with your son as well. One thing I have noticed with these sensory seeking behaviors, is that eventually they stop doing them, but only to replace with another behavior.

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