It's common for chewing to help focus because it's a repetitive motion and can block out other distractions. Boredom/Habit – Some kids will chew on the sleeve or collar of their shirt and not even realize they are doing it. For other kids, chewing can be a way to cope.
Chewing is a sensory need
Kids who chew on everything do it because they need oral motor sensory input. They crave the deep pressure that chewing provides to their gums. They basically use chewing as a way to cope and self-regulate. It can help them stay focused too!
Chewing is also an effective stress-coping behavior. When exposed to an inescapable stressor, animals assume coping behaviors, such as chewing, that attenuate some elements of the stress response [21]. In humans, nail-biting, teeth-clenching, and biting on objects are considered outlets for emotional tension or stress.
GET ACTIVE WITH HEAVY WORK ACTIVITIES
Oftentimes when there are sensory needs in the mouth, there are sensory needs outside of the mouth, too. When you meet those needs outside of the mouth (when the body gets the right amount of proprioceptive input), the need to chew often decreases.
You might chew on your pens or rock back and forth in your seat when you're anxious. This phenomenon is called stimming, and it's a normal part of living with adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Biting or chewing hard objects is part of stimming behaviours in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Stimming is a self-regulatory mechanism for people with ASD to cope with anxiety. Sensory processing disintegration is an established cause for stimming behaviours.
In 2009, the Baylor College of Medicine in England conducted a study that showed chewing gum actually reduces stress for kids with ADHD. They reported that chewing is soothing and helps calm nerves, thanks to its repetition. When kids with ADHD chew gum, they may have fewer behavioral problems or emotional outbursts.
Children who have a sensory processing disorder often seek oral stimulation. This can also be a symptom of autism and ADHD. Unfortunately, this behavior can cause children with autism and other sensory disorders to put unsafe or unsanitary items in their mouths.
Since chewing on items is a sign of sensory processing disorder. It can also be a sign of autism but it does not MEAN a child has autism. Many autistic people and individuals with special needs engage in repetitive oral behaviors such as chewing, biting, or sucking on objects.
Nail-biting, teeth-clenching, and biting on objects are considered outlets for emotional tension or stress.
Repetitive Nervous Habits - Restless leg shaking, lip/cheek chewing, skin picking, nail biting, or teeth grinding are classic signs of anxiety.
For babies, chewing is a typical sign they're teething and young children (until around age 2) use their mouths to explore the world. But even some older kids develop a habit of chewing. This isn't chewing a favorite food or little snack, but rather inedible objects (clothing, pens, toys) that comfort them.
Finally, the child may be experiencing sensory overload and is likely using the chewing to help calm their nervous system. This is common in children with sensory processing disorder, autism and learn disabilities. Chewing is sometimes a strategy used by children with ADHD.
Chewing disorders are chewing with the mouth open; excessive chewing of gum; exclusive chewing on one side; avoidance of foods with certain textures such as meat, raw vegetables, seeds, some fruit and nuts; preference for soft or pureed food; pain or discomfort during chewing; abnormal jaw movements.
Body-focused repetitive behavior disorder is characterized by body-focused repetitive behaviors (eg, nail biting, lip biting, cheek chewing) and attempts to stop the behaviors. Body-focused repetitive behavior disorder is an example of other specified obsessive-compulsive and related disorder.
Oral manifestations of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Some may exhibit self-injurious behaviors such as picking at the gums, biting lips, or creating ulcerations. Some medications may have oral side effects. Consider reviewing any oral signs and symptoms with the child's dentist.
Both oral-motor and oral-sensory problems are caused by problems with nerves. Adults may develop these kinds of feeding problems after a stroke or head trauma.
Chewing gum also has been associated with reduced anxiety [9], and a recent report proved that long-term chewing gum was effective in reducing stress, anxiety, depression, and improving test scores in school nursing students [10].
Reduces stress
A small research review of 20 studies on chewing gum and stress found evidence that gum reduced stress for people in work and educational settings. In a study of 100 students, researchers found evidence to support that chewing gum before exams helped students' stress and test scores.
Oral stimming often involves chewing on objects to cope with anxiety and stress. You might chew on: rocks.
Eating problems are common in autistic people.
Issues such as only eating very few foods, not being able to eat at school, going long periods of time without eating and pica (eating non-foods) can feel difficult to understand and manage.