OT: ASD and biting

[sl_underwood]

My son has always chewed on things, usually his blankets and clothing but recently started biting. He will be laughing and playing with us and all the sudden bite or sometimes even sitting and watching a movie or reading a book with us then bite. I have charted the behavior and there doesnt seem to be anger involved. Usually its during something fun. Yesterday, he bit our cat while petting him. I am sure its an oral sensory thing. Has anyone else experienced this with their sensory seeking child? How did you go about curbing the behavior?

Thanks

 

[KirstenB]

Our dd, who's 2 1/2, is a seeker. She often sticks things in her mouth, or licks the windows, etc. Sometimes she bites things (never people, thank God!) when she's frustrated. She has a "chewy tube" but I haven't been able to get her to take to it. Next year when she starts special ed preschool, I think I'll get some string and maybe make it into a necklace. Does he have anything like that?

Sorry I don't have any advice, just wanted to let you know you're not alone.

 

[sl_underwood]

I dont have anything like that. Where do you get these chew tubes? Dont be sorry, you let me know there are others out there dealing with these types of issues and you offered support, something I havent got much of these days (outside of these boards, anyway) It seems that once my son had a diagnosis our friends and family abandoned us.

 

[robin09]

I dont have anything like that. Where do you get these chew tubes? Dont be sorry, you let me know there are others out there dealing with these types of issues and you offered support, something I havent got much of these days (outside of these boards, anyway) It seems that once my son had a diagnosis our friends and family abandoned us.

We carry straws with us for DD9,aspergers, ocd, adhd along with sensory difficulties.... it works for us and usually available. If it works for your son, make sure to bring your own straws to animal kingdom and whispering canyon. We once made the mistake not to... It was not pretty! We also use tangles.. it's hard plastic and can twist and turn....

 

[KirstenB]

I just did a quick google search and came up with affordabletherapysolutions.com as a resource. Our dd gets Early Intervention, and her Speech Therapist brought it out for us. Basically it's a t-shape pliable piece of rubber they can chew on when they get overloaded. It has holes at all 3 openings, so it looks like they could wear it as a necklace too.

 

[SueM in MN]

I'm going to move this to the disABILITIES Community Board where it will be perfectly on topic.

Here are some other resources for chewy tubes:
Sensory Comfort Check out the other parts of that website - they have other products like clothing, headphones, tactile towels

Abilitations also has a lot of nice products.

There are a couple other good place that I can't recall right now.

I don't know if there is research about biting in people with ASD or in people with brain injuries, but there is research in toddlers and it is thought that the reasons are probably the same.
Biting for toddlers might be just because they can bite (for strictly sensory). Some bite for anger or frustration, but it can also be for excitement, happiness or overstimulation. Biting is also a form of communication. If someone doesn't have the language to communicate their feelings, they might bite because it does get the attention of the person they are trying to communicate with.
The chewy things apparently help to 'defuse' some of those things and help calm the person.

 

[mechurchlady]

Mom was riding me hard with a lot of stress and I am tired. I came very close to frustration/exhaustion biting. For me the biting occurs when I am exhausted or very ill and am over stress, losing in games, or otherwise in an unfair position. It is one of my quirks that I hide.

It is possible that your son is doing the same thing as I do but not out of anger but out of joy and happiness. Instead of extreme negative stuff being the trigger it could be exreme happiness.

It could be a phase, part of maturing or something like allergens. Last night I was euphoric and giddy because of my indulging in chips, candy, a cold burger, and a couple cans of soda pop. Don't forget to rule out changes in diet and even the type of soap and toothpaste you use.

Good luck, hugs and prayers.