Chewing can be a habit that a child develops to deal with boredom. If they don't have anything to occupy their hands or mouth, they may chew on their hair or a pencil. Some children might chew as a way to cope with anxiety. Chewing can be a self-soothing behavior that helps to reduce feelings of stress or nervousness.
It's normal for children to become so focused on certain things that they almost seem obsessed with them. Maybe they like to spend time lining their possessions up a certain way, or twist or chew their hair.
Trichophagia is the compulsive eating of hair associated with trichotillomania (hair pulling). In trichophagia, people with trichotillomania also ingest the hair that they pull; in extreme cases this can lead to a hair ball (trichobezoar).
Some children with sensory processing disorder and/or autism will continue to chew things well past the age of two. You may see the child chewing on clothing items such as their collar or sleeves. They may also chew other items such as, hair, pencils, toys or whatever they can get their hands on.
Nail biting, twirling your hair, drumming your fingers on the table, or cracking your knuckles are all forms of stimming.
ADHD stimming is self-stimulating behavior. It may done to self-soothe or to increase focus and attention. Rocking back and forth, chewing the inside of the cheeks, and humming are just some examples of stimming.
Stimming is not included as a symptom of ADHD in the last Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM), the guide used by clinicians to diagnose mental health disorders. Stimming, however, is included in the DSM-5 (the most recent edition) as a symptom of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
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.
Another less well-known issue among young children with ASD, ASD characteristics, and/or intellectual disability is pica, a condition in which a person repeatedly eats things that aren't food such as dirt, paint chips, and clay.
Keep the item close at hand so you can rapidly offer her the acceptable behavior. Praise her when she drops the hair and accepts the teething toy. If you can be consistent over time (likely weeks, not days) she should stop eating hair/fuzz.
Trichophagia: It is common for people with trichotillomania to nibble on their hair or hair roots as well. They can do this with other people's hair, too. Like the other BFRBs, trichophagia is often triggered by stress. Most trichophagia patients accept that nibbling hair helps them to feel relaxed for some time.
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.
“Sensory Chews are small, chewable, tactile sensory aids that allow children and adults with autism, SPD or sensory needs to chew safely”.
Children with Asperger's Syndrome exhibit poor social interactions, obsessions, odd speech patterns, limited facial expressions and other peculiar mannerisms. They might engage in obsessive routines and show an unusual sensitivity to sensory stimuli.
Main signs of autism
finding it hard to understand what others are thinking or feeling. getting very anxious about social situations. finding it hard to make friends or preferring to be on your own.
Oral sensory seeking, common in children with sensory issues and/or autism, can include a desire to chew, lick, or bite very sour foods.
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.
The feeding concern most commonly observed in children with autism is food selectivity, or eating a limited variety of foods. This most often involves preference for starches and snack foods and more frequent rejection of fruits and vegetables.
Self-stimulatory behavior is not unique to individuals on the autism spectrum and can be seen in neurotypical individuals as well.
Stimming can take many different forms: visual: staring off into space, drawing, spinning things like pens or coins. verbal/auditory: repeating sounds, excessive giggling, constantly clearing throat. tactile: rubbing fingers, chewing/biting nails, chewing the inside of cheeks.
Stimming might include: hand and finger mannerisms – for example, finger-flicking and hand-flapping. unusual body movements – for example, rocking back and forth while sitting or standing. posturing – for example, holding hands or fingers out at an angle or arching the back while sitting.