6 yr. old is chewing on clothing

[greengeeny]

I have a 6 year old little boy that chews on his clothing.  It started about 8 months ago, when I seperated from his father.  After we left, his father made no contact with us.  Prior to leaving, my son didnt have a very good relationship with his father, and after we left, he didnt mention his dad at all.  At first, I thought it was his way with coping.  After several months, and starting kindergarten, he had slowed down on the chewing alot, but around 2 months ago, started chewing more than before.  It has gotten to the point where he actually chews holes in his clothing.  His teacher has contacted me, and offered other suggestions.  She attended a conference about children' behavior, and mentioned that it could be an iron deficiency.  Also, my son has a hard time concentrating at school.  He is very smart, and picks up on things quickly, but if he has to sit down and do school work, he acts out.  His teacher isnt worried about anything serious with this because he does retain knowledge.  But, I am not so confident.  I know that I dont know as much about child development as she does, but I cant help but wonder if the two are connected.  Should I put him in counseling?  Is the chewing a sign of an iron deficiency or something deeper?  When I ask my son why he chews his clothing, he says it is an infection of his.  I dont know if he is repeating what he thinks other people are saying, or if he really thinks this.  I am worried that it might be a deeper underlying problem.  He has always been a hyper child, but not to the point where I have ever worried about his mental development.  It didnt surprise me that he likes hands on projects more than sitting still, he has always been that way.  Please help me.

[greengeeny]

Well, I had his iron checked and believe it or not, it is way high.  Usually it is at about a 7, which is really good.  This time it was a 12...the doctor didnt say that was bad, but how odd that it was higher than normal?  I enrolled him into professional counseling...he starts this monday, and I hope that if he is having any serious psychological issues that this will help.  He is so young, and doesnt always know how to express what he really wants to say to me.  A lot of times he gets frustrated if I dont get what his point is.  And when I ask about his dad, he is very short with his answers and goes on to concentrate on something else.  I am hoping this will give him an out, with people who know how to get him to open up about things.  Good luck with your son.

[Allie25]

I don't have answers for you but my son has all of the same issues. Chews on everything- including clothes to the point of putting holes in them. He is also very smart and retains everything but acts out when he in class. His teacher is very negative about this.

Let me know if you learn anything out. I am going to add more iron in his diet and see if I notice any changes.