hand sucking

[ForTank]

Has anyone had any problems with hand sucking?  My son has cp and tends to suck his ENTIRE hand.  He also grinds his teeth, constantly.    He only does this during the day, at bed time he sucks his thumb until he falls asleep, then it stops.  The dentist and peditrians say it's just a habit and have no suggestions.  I find it to be a very dirty and germy habit and want to reverse it!  Help please!

[JainMD]

Hi,
How is your son feeling?
How old is your son and when was he diagnosed as CP?
The doctors are right in thinking that it is a habit and would go over period of time.
If in case it is still annoying, then you should be using an irritant for application over thumb, which we make him not to suck the thumb.
Subsequently the other habits should also go.
Keep me informed if you have any queries.
Bye.

[ForTank]

Hi,
My son is 5, at 1 1/2 months he had a grade IV hemmorage due to prematurity (born at 26 weeks), health wise he is great. He is off of all meds.   He does, however, tend to get alot of sinus infections.  It was during one of infections, over a year ago, that we first notice the hand sucking.  We marked it off as him dealing with an irritateded throat.  But he kept on doing it and it has progressively gotten worse.  I believe it's only a habit because when he does it all we have to say is, "Tank, your hand!" or "Buddy, what is in your mouth?" and he instantly stops, but then starts his habit of spitting (kind of a "raspberry" spitting which is more through  closed lips).  We have tried several irritants and he will take small licks until the taste is gone.  I've been trying to get info. on reversing habits in kids with CP, but have'nt been very successful.  Another major habit is scraping his teeth on metal, such as metal heat registers and even the sliding glass door rails.  These habits have been controlled with discipline and removing him from the floor.  I have even tried a glove, he now has learned to remove his glove.

Do you have any suggestions on habit reversal?

[Bree71]

Just a thought but have you talked to someone like his occupational therapist if he has one about this being a sensory thing?

[ForTank]

You know, that's a good idea.  He does have an OT and he does have sensory issues, but I have not mentioned anything to her about the handsucking.  Thanks!  I'm going to call her right now!

[ForTank]

You know, that's a good idea.  He does have an OT and he does have sensory issues, but I have not mentioned anything to her about the handsucking.  Thanks!  I'm going to call her right now!

[ForTank]

You know, that's a good idea.  He does have an OT and he does have sensory issues, but I have not mentioned anything to her about the handsucking.  Thanks!  I'm going to call her right now!

[ForTank]

You know, that's a good idea.  He does have an OT and he does have sensory issues, but I have not mentioned anything to her about the handsucking.  Thanks!  I'm going to call her right now!

[laineyful]

Hi...my daughter has Rett Syndrome which is similar to CP. Hand sucking is a major problem and common in RS, she does it repetitively until her hands bleed. The best thing to do is redirect and splint the arms to break the habit. There are good splints at armbraces.com. Good luck.

[ForTank]

Thank you, I'll definitly try anything.  He has a huge place on his hand, but I have'nt seen blood so far, it is so dry though, almost like psorilisis.  I'm going to that website right now to check it out, the one thing about bracing is the fact that it's his left hand, the only hand he uses.  Hey who knows, it could still work.  Thanks again!