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SN children

Need ideas for DS2's incredible chewing!

8 replies

MedusaIsHavingaBadHairday · 13/09/2013 23:39

DS2 (ASD, Hypotonia, hypermobility, LDs) chews. Specifically he has a pencil obsession, in which he has to have pencils slotted between each finger (usually two per gap) in his left hand at all times when he is home. He puts them down to eat dinner and to go to the loo, otherwise they are always in position. He has to have them lined up just so, when he does put them down.
This week he chewed his brand new pencils down to splintered stumps (from both ends) He always chews them but he has started SN college (he is 16) and is stressed and he has chomped through them even more quickly than usual. His computer is covered in splinters of wood and heaven knows how much he has swallowed!

At 16 I accept his lining up and pencil hand is part of him. BUT his anxiety means his chomping is getting worse and it can't be good for him!

I need alternatives that slot in his fingers like pencils, provide oral feedback and won't splinter! ( And I'm trying to deal with the anxiety that his crappy college are increasing!)

Any ideas?!

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zzzzz · 14/09/2013 00:10

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PorridgeLover · 14/09/2013 10:51

Sounds like he is looking for proprioceptive (a calming) sensation.
Holding pencils (solid) between fingers, chewing down on (solid) pencils.

Chewellry probably not hard enough to give him the sensation he's looking for. It needs to be something hard and chewy, but not splintering.

I'll see if I can link to anything.

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PorridgeLover · 14/09/2013 10:58
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PolterGoose · 14/09/2013 11:42

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boobybum · 14/09/2013 13:53

How about something like this necklace that he could sort of weave between his fingers?
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00C7UV5LY?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

Are you able to get him referred to an OT who could assess him and hopefully suggest something? You can ask to be referred out of area if your area doesn't have an OT experienced.

If he is looking for oral sensory input how about using an electric toothbrush just to stimulate his mouth or you could look at getting a facial massager?

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zzzzz · 14/09/2013 15:38

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MedusaIsHavingaBadHairday · 14/09/2013 17:30

You lot are fab!! I'm going to show the links to DS2 and see if he has a preference on what to try!

Luckily they don't have to have a colour scheme.. thank GOD as we have aprox 200 blunt ended pencils lined up in the conservatory and if anyone moves just ONE... he knows!

Round here O.T's are spotted as frequently as yetis, sadly...

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