son adhd/chewing on clothes and everything else

Question

I have a 7 year old son that was diagnosed ADHD over a year ago. He has been on meds since he was diagnosed. While the meds seem to help his focus they have not helped with his chewing on any and everything he can. I have taken him back to the Dr. and she switched his meds, still didn't help. He started biting holes in his shirt collar and sleeves. Now he also chews on the WII controller, PSP games and charger, and the Xbox controller. I am at my wits end. I don't know what to do and I hate that I get angry at him for it. I read some other comments and people said they grow out of it, but could someone give me some ideas on how to deal with this.....I can't afford to keep replacing things he chews up.

Question_Everything1111 · Answer

Craving to chew is from lack of iron.  Dramatically increase beef in diet.

charsy01 · Answer

hello I have a son who is no we 11 and has always cheers on inedible things constantly most if his life.  it is called "SENSORY SEEKING" which is a need some children and alduts have. it us diagnosed by an occupational therapist and yes there are a lot of things you can do to help.  save his clothes and tech games.  chewellery chewy tubes vibrating tube with soft end.  also carrot sticks crunchy celery or other foods on hand can be prepared and he can use it to fill the need to chew.  it it is a little tricky at school to provide the chewing objects but most teachers would allow a small offering of healthy crunch good to be used as he needs it.  sensory SEEKING is like a cup full of input to our mussles and joints to tell our brain where us where we are in physical space and time it is this that is lacking in those who need more input through physical means to fill there cup of space and time.  we know with out thinking about it say our feet are on the floor our arms are crossed and the teacher is telling us information for sensory seekers this is unapparent so they will try to fill that space with physical movement. fidget spinners and cubes are great but stress balls and lego plasticine and weighted blankers (10% if child body weight also give the child an input solution.  usually the child will have a chew to feel that big sense of a  full and strong physical activity which we get from chewing after all our jaw is the most strong muscle and joint in the human body. if he is also constantly moving off task appears to jump climb never walk and just sit for long also signs of sensory SEEKING.  propreaception is what the therapy are named and there are may things which are free easy and fun that will enable your child to maintain his chewing needs.  my son crys and hates having it I feel so bad for him as he is growing up he is becoming aware of others and feeling hurt and self doubting as he feels different and wants to be normal he says.  he also was diagnosed with adhd only 6 months ago after going to pediatrician since kindy 6 years later yes they are helping him last term he passed every subject this was the first time he had passed even one subject since he started school so the meds have helped and I am so proud of him.  anywho I hope this helps a bit

Rachyrooo · Answer

I have ADHD,and when I was that age I chewed on everything too. It started with sucking my thumb, then chewing on sleeve's, chewing my hair, then on to my nails. I still do bite my nails, but I grew out of everything else (thank god). Maybe just give him time. 

But that being said, sugar free gum worked well for me. As well as having something to do with my hands. (It's much harder to hew on something if you can't hold on to it). Silly putty, soft stress balls, fidget cubes, that kinda thing works well. I wouldn't recommend the spinners though, takes too much mental energy and can be an added distraction. Hope this helps!

Glasmom · Answer

Was this happening before he started the meds? If so, it sounds like he could possibly have sensory processing disorder. It's sometimes seen in kids with ADHD (and also Autism Spectrum Disorders). An Occupational Therapist who specializes in this can help you. If it's only since he started the ADHD meds, then it's probably a side effect. ADHD meds can cause tics, and that may be what this is. We went through 7 different meds with my son, as many caused weird side effects. If the Dr won't work with you or doesn't know about tics or sensory processing problems, it might be time for a new Dr.

Nic1986 · Answer

My daughter also adhd chews on clothes mainly towels I've had to buy her flannels as she insists on taking them with us while out or at school

specialmom · Answer

My son has sensory integration disorder and is a chewer. It is common with sensory but also adhd.  Some kids soothe themselves orally.  It is far more common than you may realize.  They have whole sections in sensory catelogues and therapy sources for oral soothing.  For an older child, offering a coffee stirer can work.  They can chew on that in class.  They make these nifty things that go on the back of pencils (like where the eraser is) that are to be chewed (some even vibrate).  They make beads for the wrist of a necklace that can be chewed.  For younger kids, they have a slew of toys to be chewed which offering at home is fine for an older child.  All of this may sound strange----------  but it is providing comfort to a child.  A way for them to self calm.  

I have found that by addressing my son's sensory issues, his need to chew his shirt sleeve or collar is virtually gone.  So looking at the underlying problem can solve a lot.  If your child has adhd---------- do look into sensory because it can often really be that.  But even if he is strictly adhd, his nervous system is over active.  So, introducing activities that calm it may help.  Swimming is the perfect exercise. Soccer is good.  Rock climbing is great!  Tumbling and gymnastics are awesome.  Google "sensory integration disorder and heavy work" for many ideas of things to calm the nervous system that also work for an adhd child.  (Michael Phelps is a famous adhd person that found swimming quite valuable in his ability to cope).  

The web site given above is excellent.  Look this up.  good luck

rpdavis · Answer

I have worked with people with special needs for many years.  The first thing that comes to mind when you described your sons excessive chewing is a sensory processing (or sensory integration) disorder.  I put a link bellow that describes what it is.  I would suggest getting an assessment by an occupational therapist.  If he does have these issues they can help to develop a sensory diet for him that can help. Sensory processing disorder are many times mistaken for ADHD because they both can cause attention problems.  However, it is quite possible that both are going on at the same time.  It can be difficult to figure these things out, and I would suggest always getting a second opinion.  Best of luck.

http://www.spdfoundation.net/about-sensory-processing-disorder.html

jdtm · Answer

Here's another option.- your son might not have ADHD at all but instead be suffering from anxiety.  Google the phrase "anxiety and children" or "anxiety behaviors in children" and see if the descriptions are similar to  those of your child.  Anxiety is sometimes misdiagnosed as ADD/ADHD as many of the behaviours are similar.  If you  think this might be the case, then discuss this possibility with your child's doctor.  Chewing on anyting is a huge red flag for anxiety.  Just wondering ....

mommyoftwoboys75 · Answer

My son is 7 and was diagnosed with ADHD when he was 3.  He was on adderall for 3 years until my medical stopped covering it.  Now he is on Methylin ER.  He also chews on things, especially the coller around his jacket, if he doesn't have that on its his shirts, he will also chew on his fingernails, or the skin around his nails, his toys etc..so I know what you mean.  I don't know why they do this, it could be part of the disorder or an affect from the meds.  I don't get mad at him anymore because then he does it more.  Instead everytime I see him to it I tell him to stop, I constantly remind him to stop chewing, hoping eventually he'll get sick of hearing me tell him and stop lol.  If he chews on toys etc, I take them away.  Hope this helped at least a little lol.  Good luck.