Wierd Oral Habits

My son is 11 and high functioning autism/aspergers and he has a habit if picking everything; from sock string to the seams on all of his clothes.  He does not swallow the string but he does chew them.  This has been going on for a few years now and we have tried everything to deversions, chewing on straws, gum, chewing on athletic bracellets, threats...everything and nothing is working.  I have done some reading and the books say to find the true reason as to why he is doing what he is doing.  The problem is he does it all the time, good times and stressed times it is too hard to pinpoint what is driving this.  I have asked him and he has broken down and said that he doesn't want to do it and he knows that socially it has been an issue with his peers. He is on medication for anxiety and I think it is so ingrained in him now that it is part bad habit and part compulsion.  I am looking for some suggestions, stratagies, anything.  Thanks Joanie

[drewlevas]

My 8 and my 6 years old are compulsive chewer as I call it. They destroye their clothing in one or two time it's been worn. I tried a chewlery called: kids companions. They are necklaces that they can chew on. It does help my 8 years old a lot. But my 6 years old chew on the coton landyarn it tied to. Well when they wear their chewlery they don't eat on their clothing. You can look it up at this web site: www.kidcompanions.com

I hope it can help you.

[denis1987]

I have high functioning autism and have younger siblings that suffer (if that's an acceptable word) from the disorder. I believe  that the chewing is a calming tool to do with sensory issues from the child to the cloths, with mild OCD tendencies  which is common to people with ASD among with other conditions. But on how to stop it there are several methods you could try such as-

avoidance; to remove the clothing that frays such as cotton to denim or wool to nylon.
replacement; to replace the chewing of one thing to another more acceptable source
ignoring; to just ignore and let them stop on their own accordance due to peer pressure and such.
and finally in stages; first stop the chewing by asking for it when you see them chewing but let them pull the string then once that is under control stop them at the pulling stage mentioning how by pulling the string they cost money which you could spend on fun things if they did not ruin their cloths.

i hope this was helpfull  .