Very Oral DD

[Mizelenius]

I have a question about my oldest DD, who will be 5 in a few months. She is VERY oral. She often has to have her hand (the whole thing!) or hair (or even sleeves) in her mouth . . .in the cool seasons it is horrible for her skin. She walks around with a big red mark (dry, chapped skin) under her lip because her mouth area is wet so often. Cream doesn't have a chance to work since her hand goes right back in.

She seems like she is fine in other ways . . .academically she is doing very well (reading and writing), an extreme extrovert, etc. She is very verbal and does not hold back expressing her feelings. We have been having issues with her yelling for the past 6 months, but this started before that. I have not been able to pinpoint a specific time or period that she does it, but it is worse when she is being read to/watching TV (the more passive stuff). I have tried giving her things to hold/do instead of suck on something, but it doesn't work. (She does not do it if she is drawing or writing on her own.)

Any ideas? Suggestions? Explanations?

[robinkate]

Sounds like she has a very strong need for sucking on something. What about getting her some chewlery or other appropriate things to chew on?

I've found some helpful oral sensory items at this site -

http://www.autismshop.com/store/cust...cat=304&page=3

[mamaduck]

I agree that she should carry something that is okay to chew. Or wear something around her neck that is okay to bite.

Chewing gum might help. I say that with trepidation, because it has been recommended for my sensory starved son, and I won't give it to him! I cannot stand the smacking, and I stress about the prospect of it ending up stuck to things. But if you think you can handle it -- it might be a good solution.

[oldcrunchymom]

My daughter is very oral as well. She would put everything into her mouth until she was almost 3 and nursed until after she turned 5. Until very recently (like, the last few months) she was always chewing on her hair, shirt, pencil, SOMETHING. Like your dd her mouth/chin area would get chapped in winter. Last winter I was putting lotion on her every night before she went to bed. She is almost 9 now and it finally seems to have abated for the most part. I like the necklace idea and I wish I had thought of that!

[Mizelenius]

Thanks for the info, mamas! I talked about the necklace/bracelet idea with her and she seemed to like that! Are there any made out of wood that anyone knows of for this purpose? Maybe a nursing necklace would work since they are designed to be played with?

[chfriend]

I second the chewing gum. It made the car bearable for my dd who has sensory issues.

[Mizelenius]

DD has been chewing on a lacing string for now . . .it is so much better than telling her to hug something! Now she can chew, her mouth can heal, and all is well.

Since she wants a necklace for this purpose, I was thinking about this one:
Amber Necklace.

[bryannastreasure]

Originally Posted by Mizelenius

DD has been chewing on a lacing string for now . . .it is so much better than telling her to hug something! Now she can chew, her mouth can heal, and all is well.

Since she wants a necklace for this purpose, I was thinking about this one:
Amber Necklace.

amber will break. if she is just gentle and sucky perhaps. I once gave my son a large chunk of amber on a leather cord and it didn't last 5 minutes before his little teething teeth made their mark. I took it away but dropped it before reaching the table and it shattered. sharp edges and some small flakes.

mtc's
love and light,
Bryanna

[soygurl]

Here are some other chewing options:
http://www.sensorycomfort.com/HomeSc...#Chewy%20Tubes
Chewy Tubes, and P's & Q's

[Mizelenius]

Originally Posted by bryannastreasure

amber will break.

That's what my mom warned me about, but I said, "Hey, it's being marketed to BABIES and TODDLERS . . .by a natural parenting company. Of course it's safe!" She just at me and said, "Sure." Ugh!!!! Too bad she was right-- I thought that would be so cool. How disturbing that it is marketed for babies and toddlers, though! : That just isn't right!

Thanks for the link, soygurl! I'm sticking with something like you or robinkate suggested now!

[straighthaircurly]

Originally Posted by robinkate

Sounds like she has a very strong need for sucking on something. What about getting her some chewlery or other appropriate things to chew on?

I've found some helpful oral sensory items at this site -

http://www.autismshop.com/store/cust...cat=304&page=3

Some of my son's friends have this same issue and their moms swear by the chewy tubes.