Need some help with oral stimulation...

[mbb]

A little guy at our daycare is autistic, and needs A LOT of oral stimulation...we tried the Gerber Nuk Beginner Gum/Toothbrush set - he LOVES the big, nubby one (he's chewed through it)...but the supplier no longer carries them...and this little guy can BITE through ANYTHING...he's three...

So what I'm asking is, does anyone have any suggestions for safe, oral stim methods/equipment...he's bitten one of our staff workers already, and we're worried that without an outlet, it will be the other children next...

Any ideas???

Thanks for your help!!

 

[saymama]

sounds stupid but I have friends that use this. Aquarium tubing. you can get it in different sizes. Cut it to how long you want and let them go. My friend even punches a hole in it, attaches it to a bungy keychain and hooks that to her sons belt loop. It hangs right there with him. He has stopped the constant chewing because of this and now only uses it occasionally.

 

[BethanyF]

Chewy Tubes They have them on several sites. This was the first one that popped up in my search.
My ds was also given something that looked like an Oreo cookie but was designed for older kids with oral stim needs.
Another idea, as weird as it may be, is dog toys. Just make sure they are latex free.
Baby teething rings are designed for gumming, not chewing with teeth, so they wont hold up to older kids with oral stim needs.

 

[mbb]

Excellent suggestions!!

Fwding to our Director!!

Thanks again!!

 

[alohacousin]

my lil girl needs to chew most of the time with her sensory difficulties (she is 7) so we have the rubber tubbing a small item (teething ring, a chewy 'Q", sassy link that has texture) then tie for a necklace so she can chew when need be without us needing to pick it up at the time. I shop for the chewy q/tubing at abilitationsand target for the baby sassy link. in the summer at disney we keep her washcloth slightly damp to chew on and help her keep cool. hope this helps

one month to go till disney

abilitations