chewing on shirt

why does my grandson chew on his shirt

[RockRose]

To bring his brain into focus.

Children who chew their shirts typically do it during reading or math.  The act of chewing or gumming something actually focuses the brain.

[specialmom]

I agree with Rockrose.  Many kids find this way instinctively to focas.

I would also add that my son does it to soothe himself when he is a bit nervous.  It can show that a child is feeling anxious too.  Our occupational therapist has told us that many children try to soothe themselves through this type of chewing or sucking.  

It is best to find alternatives to allow him to still self soothe vs trying to stop him.  They make chew things at various occupational therapy websites, you can also string some beads and he can wear them around his neck and suck/chew as needed.  A great thing for while at school are coffee stirrers.  

But truth be told, my son still will go for that sleeve even with the alternatives . . .

[jupsie]

Thank you for the advise. Sound good and i will check the occupational websites. I feel so bad that they experience such anxiety at such a young age.

[benjimom]

My son has been chewing on his shirt and chewing holes in them.  

[angelinamarina]

Sensory processing dysfunction -

[benjimom]

yesterday my son chewed about three holes in a shirt.  He said he was hungry.

[benjimom]

I should add he was with a babysitter all day while I was at work, and he's scared to ask things from people. He's five.  NEver did this until very recent.

[specialmom]

Benjimom, I really feel that your son is suffering from great anxiety.  There are a combination of posts from you that make me feel that you are trying hard to find answers for your boy.  He's had several recent upsets in his life that definately could result in increased anxiety as well as what you are telling us is a family history of anxiety as well as other psychiatric issues.  Please ask your school for a comprehensive evaluation with a psychologist and occupational therapist.  This is easy enough to do and I would insist that it involves both areas.  They can direct you to some extent.  Then I would see a child psychiatrist (not psychologist) to help evaluate your child.  A large children's hospital would have a center that can look at all aspects of your son and help direct you as well if any delays or disorders are present.  That is my best advice to you-----  I can hear you trying hard to help him.  Good luck

[jupsie]

I was wondering how your son was as a infant? My Grandson WAS HYPER FROM DAY ONE. He was never content. Keep in touch. I would like to see how evrything is going for you and your precious little boy. I feel your pain. jupsie

[benjimom]

Thanks for checking in on me guys.  My little guy is at school right now.  He's getting 1:1 today.  He has not been doing well in teh classroom.  I will go pick up in a minute and see what is happening. I am waiting to hear from his therapist soon nad will talk to her about things and see what we should do next. I took him to the pediatrician and he wasn't sure if he had ADHD or not.  He said esp given the events of the last year he did not want to make that determination yet, but to give it more time. He gave us some paperwork to fill out, etc.

Yes, as an infant, he always wanted to be held.  He was not one that would sit still in a stroller or carrier for hours on end.  He liked to be doing stuff. HE crawled at 6 months and walked at 13 months, he was getting around so well crawling, why walk?  He has not been what I would call an "easy" child.  I would say very temperamental.  Still is, in some ways better.  

I left a msg with my therapist, waiting to hear back...

[specialmom]

To Jupsie,  someone above gave a three word answer----  sensory processing/ integration disorder.  Well----  my son does have sensory integration disorder which is a developmental delay that affects the nervous system.  Delay has NOTHING to do with intelligence . . . my son's communication system between his brain and other senses is off.  My son was spotted by an astute teacher in preschool when he was 3 as having this but the evaluation was inconclusive then . . . but by 4 it was very obvious.  When we had him evaluated a second time by an occupational therapist----  it was clear.  By 4.5 he was sucking on his shirt sleeves and collars at times.  It is when he is trying to soothe himself.  He has difficulty self soothing, so that is one of his ways he figured out himself.  It was our occupational therapist that told us that this is not uncommon in kids with sensory, add/adhd or anxiety.  

My son was active as a baby and toddler-----  very active.  He was my first born and I also have another son 15 months younger than him . . . so I was slightly in a haze at the time and thought it was all normal.  But in retrospect he was a bit on the hyper side.  He was the kind of baby that we had to walk around and jiggle to get to sleep and had gi issues and cried easily.  He didn't have colic as I've heard colic can be, and was a happy little guy overall.  He didn't sit down and do things like my younger son, he was constant motion.

Anyway, fast forward----  he is now 6 and in kindergarten and doing great.  He can focas well, is organized, well behaved and having no issues at all in school.  We do occupational therapy once a week and lots of activities at home for his nervous system.  

So, Jupsie----  I just thought I'd give this additional info as you seem to be searching for answers for your grandson.  It could be just straight anxiety or something else----  by the way, how old is he?

[jupsie]

Oh thank you so much! My grandson is 5 yrs. old. I will stay in contact and will also do more research on the sensory disorder. Thank you so much again :)

[jupsie]

I was wondering if you could tell me about the activities you do with your son for his nervous system

[benjimom]

specialmom, I am reading the 'out of sync child " now to help me eval if my son has sensory issues.  have you read it?  THe ped. recommended it.

[specialmom]

Yes, I read the "out of sync child".  At first I didn't think my son fit . . . then I read it again and he fit a little more . . . and the third time,  he fit for sure.  Carol Kranowitz wrote another book called "the out of sync child has fun" which is an activity book.  

Jupsie------  there is SO much you can do that helps the nervous system.  If he is oral, simply blowing bubbles is calming.  Drinking applesauce or milkshake or thick smoothie through a straw is calming.  Chewing chewy things is good (fruit chews or a fruit roll up).  A piece of red licorice tied in a knot is good.   Also, thick bubble gum before he has to sit is good.  We do a piece on the way to the bus stop and he spits it out before he gets on.  Blowing a cotton ball across a table in race style is good (cut straws in half).

"heavy work" is a term that occupation therapists use.  We do tons of this.  You can fill a laundry basket full of something and have him crawl pushing it.  You can put books in a bag and ask him to "help" you move it.  Wheel barrow walk is awesome as is animal walks.  The bear, crab, slithering like a snake or lizard, leap frogging are all really good heavy work.  Any type of jumping, rolling, climbing is good.  Swimming is the perfect activity with the resistence that is involved.  Crashing into a bunch of pillows in a pile is good.  Wall push ups or tug of war.  Take an exercise ball and place it between you and him.  Have him push on it as hard as he can and you push back to give resistence.  We do this and call it summo wrestler.  Then roll that ball over him like a steam roller.  (he'll love or hate that, but my kid craves deep pressure).  Swinging is very calming as is bike or scooter riding.  We started doing "boot camp".  He has to army crawl around the room, then we do some kick boxing (like in exercise class --- lol), then we do target practice which is up on his knees an diving from side to side.  Just have fun with it.  My kid likes wrestling.  Like I said, he craves deep pressure----  so my husband wrestles with him. Climbing monkey bars is awesome.  He may get slightly hyped up during some of these activities but it has a calming affect afterwards.  It can last a day or two----  no joke.  

I have plenty of more ideas if you need more!!!  Contact me anytime.  good luck

[benjimom]

maybe I will try some of these activities wiht him after school.

[jupsie]

Specialmom thank you so much for the ideas and im sure he will love them because he loves to be on the move. So i guess these things help release all that energy? Is that the whole point? I just want to make sure i am getting it. :) Wow this means even more work fo me. Im sorry i get frusterated because i feel stuck. I am 46 yrs old and i thought my job was done considering i have a 25yr old and a 22yr old. My daughter is the mother but she works a 50 hr week. They live with me and i also work a thirty hr week but take care of my grandson more than she does. Im sorry i am just venting:( My garandson is my world and i want the best for him. It just gets tiring and i feel unappreciated. Im sure i will come back to you for more advice. Thank you so much:)

[specialmom]

Jupsie  . . . I feel your pain.  I'm an OLD first time mom at 44!  I had my kids at 38 and 39---------   and had no idea what I was in for.  

You've already raised your kids though . . . this is my first go at it.  So I commend you for stepping in to help.  It IS very tiring and when you have a challenging child----  the days can be long.  Often I feel . . . pooped.  I'm sure you do too.  

Sensory system is very intricate in many bodily functions.  My son has trouble with his vestibular and procieptive systems.  Are you saying HUH?  I did too.  But these control things such as movement.  My son does things a little bit intensely because he is seeking input into the nervous system.  When his muscles are working----  he is getting input into the nervous system.  As his feet jar the ground after jumping, he is getting input into his nervous system.  He is a sensory seeker.  

If my son's nervous system is feeling disorganized or jumbled, he will try to find ways to quiet it.  That is when chewing comes in.  That is when swinging, bike riding, deep pressure will help.  It quiets a whirling nervous system.  

Motor planning is a huge issue with many sensory kids.  This is how our brain organizes activity-------- everything from speaking to writing, to plotting out how to play a game or ortanizing thought to answer a question.  Why the heavy activity helps the brain calm and organize---------  I don't really know.  But it does.  My kid can sit and do homework much better if he has run around right before.  What is funny is that my husband often paces while he is talking and thinking at the same time.  Many people need movement to focas.  

Again, sensory is only a disorder if a child has trouble coping.  But all kids benefit from sensory activities.  Feel free to ask me anything at any time.  good luck

[jupsie]

Thank you so much for tour time and your knowledge! I will use all your info!  Another question for you, does your son play independently? My grandson always needs to be entertained :(

[benjimom]

I've been reading the "out of sync" I definitely feel my son meets some of those descriptions in the book.  He is a "sensory seeker".  I also read that a lot of kids with ADHD also have sensory issues, interesting, he might have a little bit of both. I am still working hard on finding out what the issue is with him.   I wrote down some of the things you suggested. He is one on one right now at school.

Yesterdeay evening after I got home from work, he said he had a couple of times yeterday at school where he was not very patient he got out of his seat to run around.  I did not scold him, but told him to try harder next time.  Sometimes I wonder if he doesnt' even realize what he is doing at the time until after he does something.