As parents of children on the autism spectrum, we often find ourselves searching for ways to help our kids manage behaviours that others might find confusing. One of the challenges we face is helping our son stop biting his hand—a behaviour he uses to soothe himself. We’ve tried various methods like chilli, lime, lemon, and even bitter leaf water, but he quickly adapts to these deterrents and continues biting. It’s become clear that we need a different approach.
What is a Chew Buddy, and Why Do Children Use It?
A Chew Buddy is a type of sensory chew designed specifically for children who have a strong need for oral stimulation. These tools are made from safe, medical-grade materials and provide a healthy outlet for kids who tend to chew on non-food items, including their own hands. For children with autism, chewing can serve multiple purposes:
Self-regulation: Chewing provides calming sensory feedback, particularly in overwhelming environments.
Anxiety relief: It helps reduce feelings of stress or anxiety.
Sensory needs: Many children on the spectrum have heightened sensory processing needs, and oral stimulation can be soothing.
We learned about the Chew Buddy through our son’s school, where it is often recommended by occupational therapists for children seeking oral sensory input.
Our Experience: From Deterrents to Sensory Tools
We ordered several Chew Buddy products from Amazon, and they proved helpful—at least for a while. The sturdy, textured design provided just the right amount of sensory feedback, and we ensured he had one at school and another at home. He uses it regularly, and it offers some relief from hand-biting.
However, over time, he chews through them. It became clear that while the Chew Buddy was effective, we needed something even more durable. That’s when his school introduced us to specialised gloves designed to prevent hand-biting. These gloves have made a difference, offering an alternative to biting while protecting his hands.
This experience reminds me of a scene from The Bold Kids' Amazing Adventure, where Chika offers Yao a Chew Buddy when he’s feeling anxious. In the story, Yao—who is on the autism spectrum—uses the Chew Buddy to help manage his sensory needs. This small gesture from Chika highlights the importance of understanding and supporting each other’s unique needs.
It’s moments like these that make the story resonate with families like ours, showing the value of empathy and practical solutions.
Why Do Some Children with Autism Bite Their Hands?
It’s quite common for children with autism to engage in behaviours like hand-biting. Research suggests this can be due to:
Sensory processing issues: Many children on the spectrum have different sensory needs, and the sensation of biting provides the input they seek.
Communication challenges: For non-verbal children, biting may be a way of expressing frustration or discomfort.
Emotional regulation: It can be a method of self-soothing, particularly in situations where the child feels overwhelmed or anxious.
Understanding these underlying reasons helps us select appropriate interventions to support our child’s needs.
What We’re Learning
While the Chew Buddy remains a helpful tool in our ongoing journey, we realise that it’s only one part of the solution. Combining it with other strategies, like the specialised gloves introduced by his school, is key to managing his hand-biting. Every child is different, and what works for one may not work for another. The important thing is to keep exploring options and collaborate with educators and healthcare professionals who understand our children’s needs.
A Word to Fellow Parents
If you’re a parent dealing with similar behaviours, I encourage you to try sensory tools like the Chew Buddy. They may not solve everything immediately, but they can be an important part of your child’s toolkit. And remember, you’re not alone in this journey. By sharing our experiences and supporting one another, we can help our children thrive.
In the spirit of The Bold Kids motto, “Bold Kids Unite! To save the day!” we can find creative solutions together, one step at a time.
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