A 5 Yr Old That Chews!

She sounds like my 6yr old. He's been getting better and better each year, but he still has problems. I don't know what to do, but we've tried everything (including hot pepper) to get him to stop chewing on his shirt collars and sleeves (especially in the winter with long sleeves). He's always chewing on toys and things and also licking things. Someone told me once that it might have a sensory processing disorder. I haven't looked into it much, though.

It sounds as if perhaps she did not get her normal need to suck satisfied yet. Usually the best way to have that happen is through child led weaning from the breast. You did not say if she was a breast or bottle baby. Whatever the case may be, now it would seem prudent to me to allow the child to suck on something safe and benig, such as a blanket or another soft clean item that she can call her own. In time that normal need will be resolved and she will not want to do that anymore.

B. S. RN CCM

i'm really glad to know i'm not the only one...my 5 year old daughter is constantly putting things in her mouth. everything she picks goes directly to her mouth first. i've also tried explaining the germ scenario and how that can make her sick and yadda yadda...but nothing is working. i don't have any advice but i can certainly sympathize. i think i'm going to try the rubber necklace idea that someone mentioned...that sounds like it just might work. -nmc

take her to see the Doctor. tell him the situation with the chewing of everythign and the licking of the table. Insist that he run some tests to learn what is happening within this child before it becomes something far more serious. please do not wait too long to have her examined psychologically also. For her sake ask questions and demand answers from those who know!

My four year old was constantly chewing his nails into the quick. This upset me terribly because i couldn't imagine why a happy four year old would have such a nervous habit. I tried talk of germs and threat of bad tasting ointment on his fingers, nothing seemed to work. Finally, i just started a challenge with a reward at the end. We would check his nails and watch for the white to grow out. We backtracked a few times, but he has finally gotten over the behavior. I'm by no means an expert and patience isn't my strongest point, but i think with a nervous type behavior a patient loving attitude is the only way to win. Good luck!

Seek some kind of professional help. Maybe Dr. Phil could suggest someone or someplace.

Could it be that she is doing this to get your attention? If you are working 2 jobs and tired all the time she may not be getting the attention she wants and if she does the things you have mentioned and gets in trouble for it at least she is getting your attention - good or bad.

My immediate thought is that she has a high sensory need to chew. If you can help her to satisfy this need safely, it should help her a lot. For example, you can easily make a rubber necklace for her to chew on when she needs to, but you need to get pieces that are safe for kids to chew. An occupational therapist who specializes in children (not one that treats all people) should have lots of tricks to help you and can also assess her for any other sensory problems. Sensory integration troubles are VERY common in kids. They are a part of autism, but there are lots of ordinary kids out there who have sensory trouble and don't have autism. In fact, most people have some sensory preferences (ie. don't like loud noises or gooey food or tags on their clothes) but when it starts to interfere in school or daily life it needs to be treated. I recommend the book, "The Out of Sync Child". You can find it at most bookstores and amazon.com and it's GREAT for parents. You don't have to read it all, but can skip to any part you like. Please don't blame yourself. It really doesn't sound like a cry for attention. I hope this helps.

Heh, at that age I caught my 2 lovely "ladies" licking the walls. At 8 & 9, they still put stuff in their mouths. The only thing I can hope is that they're inoculating themselves and that someday all my "THAT"S GROSS" speaches might sink in. :}

Hello,
Read about sensory processing disorder. Many children with sensory intergration issues have oral issues and an intense need to chew or suck. If this is the case this is not a habit to be broken, but is a need that is helping to regulate your daughter. There are numerous websites on sensory processing disorder and two great books are Sensational Kids and The Out of Sync Child. There are also great products such as chewy sticks available on numerous websites that supply products for sensory integration therapy. With sensory
issues, the sooner it is diagnosed and therapy is started the better. An occupational therapist diagnoses this. There are specific therapies for oral issues. Many children have more than one area of disorder in sensory integration. Most of the therapies are play based. Blessings, R.

Hi L..

I would take her to the doctor. It sounds like she may have some kind of medical problem. I don't remember what they call it, but I seem to recall my mother telling me about that same problem that her friend's child had. I would get her checked out as soon as possible. I wish you both luck!

A.

This could be a sensory issue. Some kids have a lot of sensory integration problems some have single sensory issues. My son has auditory sensitivity and can't be around microphones because of the amplification.

You need to talk to your doctor immediately because it could be a sign that there's more going on. She should be screened for a number of things. I don't want to alarm you, but you should ask for a screening for sensory integration disorder/sensory processing disorder and autism. The screening is a tool to decide whether to move on to the next step and go through the diagnostic process. Just because the screening indicates that you should move to the next step does NOT mean she has either sensory integration disorder or autism. It just means she needs further observation by your pediatrician. Ideally, in the diagnostic process, you should have a team of doctors who look at whether she has either diagnosis or not.

Please at least go through the screening to eliminate either of these possibilities. She obviously has a need to chew like this. You can't punish it out of her if there's something driving her to do it. Continued punishment or withholding of things she loves for something she may have no control over will only damage her self-esteem later on.

And, if it turns out that she has either of these diagnoses or something else is causing it outside her control, I know you will want to get her all the help she needs.

Note about Autism... many people think that you don't talk and don't make eye contact if you have Autism. Autism Spectrum Disorder has a range of behaviors. Some people with Autism don't have the "typical" or stereotypical characteristics, but have other milder characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder. The American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends that all pediatricians do a screening for autism several times before age 2, starting at 18 months. Your doctor probably has all the information at hand and can help you with this. Please don't hesitate to call him/her.

If you need more info or would like to "talk" you can email me at ____@____.com.

Has she had a Dental check up to see if she has a cavity? Loose tooth? Some kids just need chewing time. It is thought that some kids that bite aren't getting enough chew time. I don't know about that theory but it may be worth investigating.

Have you taken her to a doctor? It could be a physical or physcological problem. My heart goes out to her. I hope you are able to find the root of the problem.

hey L.,
sorry you are going through this. not certian what the cause is but i would take her to pediatrician, counselor and dentist to rule out anything. and this is a fetch but based on what you described... could it be pica?
best of luck,
-mb

Buy her somethignto chew on i always chewed on pens i dont know why i eventually grew out of it. I think it was a nervous thing i had public anxiety pretty bad as a child.

Hmmm....I don't know! I bet your pediatrician could give you some ideas what that could mean. I am sure there is some simple reason for it. Licking tables huh? It could be worse...at least it isn't the floor.

Your daughter may be lacking a nutrient. Try a good multi-vitamin-from a healthfood store, and check out this website for info on a wonderful, nutritious juice: www.drtina.gomangosteen.com

Good Luck,
T. Theriot, D.C.

Not to be alarming in any way because this is just an old wives tale but I heard many years ago that the 'unnatural' urge to bite is not something that can't be helped and could be an indicator of, get this, arthritis. I know that sounds way out there but there is something to it. It may only mean that she may have problems when she's older though. You may think about something like beef jerky? Or a small rubber ball or mini tennis ball and have her squeeze it when the biting or chewing urge hits her. Now, I don't have a comment on licking the table? :)
B.

I've heard there is some sort of cureable "syndrome" when children try to increase their diets with "other things." I do not know the name of it; however, what I believe I've heard is there is some mineral lacking in their own diet. Take her to a physician and have it all checked out.

I used to chew my hair too (stress in my pre-teen years), then got a cough I couldn't get rid of. The doctors believed I had little pieces of hair in my lungs..... once I stopped chewing, I stopped coughing.

M.

Here's a website you may should look at http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/behavior/pica.html