If you have ever noticed your child chewing on their shirt sleeves, their pencils or other items around your home like the remote controls or cords, than you're not alone. This may seem odd when you first notice it but this behavior is known as sensory seeking behavior and it can be very common among children and adults who struggle with sensory processing disorder, autism or ADHD.
Reasons for Chewing
There are several different reasons why people chew on non-food items. Chewing can be incredibly calming and regulating for many children and adults. This can be true for those who have sensory processing challenges. Chewing can provide a lot for people such as oral input, stress and anxiety relief or self-regulation. It can also provide proprioceptive input (body awareness). Furthermore, chewing is calming and organizes our nervous systems and can help improve concentration and increase alertness.
Chewing may help a child (or adult) feel more focused and it can be a type of self-soothing behavior (stimming), reducing your child's stress and anxiety. It can be a coping mechanism for people who have sensory processing differences. Chewing can also be a distraction when someone is bored or the result of a long-standing habit.
Choosing the Right Chewelry
It is very important to understand that not all chewelry is created equal. Look for sensory chew toys that is made with safe and durable materials such as food-grade silicone. For example, Munchables are crafted from non-toxic, durable silicone, free from plastics, phthalates, lead, PVC, BPA, latex, or cadmium. Choose chewelry that is the right size, shape and texture for you or your child's sensory needs. Some people prefer soft chewelry, but others may enjoy a firmer chew.
Benefits of Chewelry
Chewelry come in many different shapes and sizes with different textures. Chewelry can eliminate the risk of a child choking on potentially harmful items around their home. It can also prevent torn shirts and bitten nails. Munchables Chewelry can be worn discreetly as a necklace, zipper pull, lanyard or on the end of your child's pencil at school. This will help adults and children with chewing and not attract attention.
Managing Sensory Sensitivities
Autistic children or adults and those who have ADHD and sensory processing disorder often struggle with sensory sensitivities and this can cause hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity. These terms are known as sensory seeker and sensory avoider. Hypersensitivity may cause a child feel overwhelmed by different textures or sounds which can cause anxiety and frustration. On the other end of the spectrum, children who experience hyposensitivity may need more sensory input to feel regulated or to feel focused too. Chewelry can be a great sensory tool for these children to manage their sensory input and keep them feeling calm and regulated.
There are a lot of different benefits to using chew necklaces and chew toys. Children use chewelry to reduce fidgeting and improve their focus while they are at school. It can be soothing for them during anxious times. Adults use chewelry to reduce their stress and provide themselves with a discreet and convenient way to self-regulate. Chewelry can be very discreet in a professional or social setting which is why they are so commonly used.
Role of Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapists often incorporate chewelry into therapy. Chewing accessories can also be used to help to reduce thumb sucking and chewing finger nails.
Seeking Support
If you are concerned about someone's chewing, it is very important to understand the reasons they are chewing so you know which strategies may help them. Identify their chewing triggers and notice when they are chewing most and why. Different environments or situations may make them chew more. Offer different tools to help your child or yourself with chewing needs such as chewelry, crunchy snacks or sugar free gum.
If you notice that someone is chewing please be understanding and accepting. It is so important to remember that people who struggle with sensory processing differences or neurodiversity may have different unique needs. Chewing may appear to be unusual to you, but this could be the only way for them to regulate their senses and to feel comfortable. Don't judge or shame someone who is chewing. Understand their reasons and provide support and understanding.
If chewing is causing your child distress or chewing is interfering with their life please consult with a professional or occupational therapist. An occupational therapist can do an assessment of your child's sensory needs and recommend appropriate sensory tools such as chewelry. Your child could benefit from behavioral therapy to learn different techniques that could help them manage and reduce how often they chew.
