compulsive chewing

[geejo]

i have several children here at my school that compulsively chew ANYTHING. they will even chew clothing and straps on bookbags. Discussing the hygiene perspective does not seem to change the behavior. I would appreciate any recommendations.

[yewlandskid]

My son is 13 and still does this can anyone offer help?

[Sandman2]

    Agree with specialmom completely.  Its not so much what they are chewing, but why they are chewing.   If you cannot correct why they are chewing, then its a good idea to work on chewing replacements.  Discussing hygiene will not change this behavior.

[specialmom]

Hi there.  Well, chewing like this is very often a way that kids are coping with stress or anxiety.  My son is a chewer.  We have strategies in place that help.

Chewing IS providing an outlet for the kids, believe it or not.  I would have the school counselor research some ways to present to classrooms ideas about stress.  There are different classroom activities that counselors can do such as working on the idea of "I'm okay as I am".  "It's okay to make mistakes."  " Asking for help is a great thing to do."  

Some kids chew to self soothe by the way and some do it to stay focused.  It's a nervous system impulse at times in either case.  You can remind them 90 times not to do it and they'll just all of a sudden do it without thinking.

Offer kids that chew to self soothe?stay focused things that are age appropriate/acceptable in the classroom.  Often a basket of fidgets or allowing kids to bring in their own will help.  Do you know what fidgets are?  Squishy balls, these little chains that you can move all around quietly in your lap, even a bendaroo/wiki stick cut in pieces that they can fiddle with.  This hand action can really keep some kids alert and soothe others.  You can offer coffee stirrers to chew with the rule that they must then be taken TO the trash.   Period.  They do make things such as beaded bracelets or necklaces designed with the idea of being in the mouth in mind and they make things that slip onto the ends of pencils.  If you have a child that is particulary a heavy chewer, the school occupational therapist possibly may have access to these things.  

I'd also encourage teachers to put in place 'stretch breaks' for kids.  Stand, stretch arms up, bend over, give yourself a tight hug.  All help keep a child calm, focused and peaceful.

good luck

[margypops]

May I ask what age group we are talking about, it is possible they are copying each other like kids do ..Chewing cotton shirt cuffs seems to be a common problem .