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These tips have been contributed by other parents, carers and professionals. We hope they will give you some ideas to try, but if you need further help why not post a question on our forums or talk to our Behavioural Support site expert. See also our Challenging Behaviour Info pack
Chewing DVDs
My asd/ADHD son used to bite DVDs, so we converted back to videos and a video player. You can pick videos up from charity shops and car boot sales for pennies!
Fingerless gloves
I put fingerless gloves on my daughter. She hates the texture and it keeps her hands out of her mouth.
Balloon weights
Plastic balloon weights make for great, bite-proof, non-toxic and cheap aids to chew on. We thread a couple onto a ribbon and use as a necklace.
Sp-icy!
Spicy ice cubes are very good for those who need lots of information in the mouth. Cinnamon and honey water frizzed in fun shape can do just that.
Squeeze your fingers
You can try to discourage biting or chewing by asking the person you are caring for to do something else instead, like "squeeze your fingers" or "put your hands on your lap"
Offer an alternative to chewing
For years, my daughter chewed her collars, dribbled and made holes in her clothes. School offered chewy alternatives, but I now think this exacerbated the problem.
In the school hols I said, "No chewing all holiday and you get the expensive toy you wanted." I also pointed out all the people on the street with clean collars. I suggested an alternative fidget such as tapping her fingers on the table, and it actually worked. It was during a low-anxiety period (holidays) however, so we have yet to see if it continues at school.
Stylish pendants for chewers
Do you support someone who has sensory issues and finds chewing a way of remaining calm. Check out the decorative chewi pendants at www.chewigem.co.uk
ChewBuddy
Sensory Direct have a chewy for sensory relief, that is also fun to fidget with. www.sensorydirect.com
Chewelry
This is a good tip if you are supporting someone who bites, chews or fidgets constantly, and you're tired of frayed, chewed-up clothes, bitten finger nails, toys, etc. Kid Companions Chewelry made in Canada is safe, bpa, phthalate, pvc, lead and latex free. Also stylish and discreet.
Chewing clothes
My son chews Zips, it was getting to be a problem replacing Zips on his jacket, his fleeces were looking terrible until I hit on the idea of painting all his zips with the stop nail biting polish. Not particularly nice, but it does the trick!
Chewing, fiddling & dribbling
If you supports someone who bites, chews, fiddles and dribbles, I've got a solution! Attach a towel flannel to a stretchy key ring by making a small cut in the centre of the flannel. Then attach to jeans or trousers. The corners of the flannel are great to bite on and chew, the flannel itself is great to wipe spit, and the key ring is endless fiddling! Everyday throw in wash.
Thumb guard
My daughter used to do a lot of damage to her thumb as she has seizures and bites it whilst sucking. You can buy a thumb guard (Google it) on the internet that covers the thumb but still lets air around it so it can breath, it's held in place at the wrist and leaves fingers free.
Finger chewing
My son has a lot of sensory issues and his mouth is his favourite place to examine anything. He chews his fingers, breaking the skin and picking at scabs. A diversion we've found helps is to give him a tough rubber toy. The school doesn't like it, but agree it is safer than harming himself.
Hand-biting
John was in the habit of chewing his hands, to the point he would bite through his skin and make himself bleed. I needed padded gloves, that wouldn't come off and they had to be waterproof. Ski or bicycle gloves!! Perfect.
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