Chewing is often a form of self-stimulating behaviour, better known as ‘stimming’, and it’s something that we all do to some extent, biting nails, twirling hair, chewing gum, and cracking knuckles are all types of stimming. Those living with Autism and Sensory Processing Disorders display more frequent stimming and triggers such as stressful environments or situations can lead to more severe forms of stimming.
If a child or adult is prone to biting or chewing objects when they are anxious, you may want to try a sensory chew that is safer and more hygienic than clothes, toys, pencil and pens or in some cases fingers and hands.
We have a fantastic range of Sensory Chews that come in all different colours, sizes, textures and harnesses.
Choosing The Right Sensory Chew
Age appropriate
Make sure you select an age appropriate chew.
- For younger children (under 3) it is best to have a solid teether or something that mum can wear to maintain close supervision. The goal is to eliminate any choking hazard during chewing and oral exploration. The Chewbuddy Stickman is great for younger children and mild chewers because they encourage oral motor exploration with a soft texture. The Chewbuddy is soft enough not to damage teeth but strong enough to withstand biting from a mild to moderate chewer.
- Older children may prefer a wearable chew like the Chewbuddy Disc or Bangle which are more discreet and socially acceptable as well as being safe and effective.
- Teens, adults and more aggressive biters may enjoy heavier options like the Chewbuddy Super. Chewy pencil toppers are also a good option for older children – these are hollow and slide onto the end of a pen or pencil providing a safe outlet for chewing whilst writing or drawing.
Moderate or Heavy Chewer
As well as considering the age of the chewer it is also wise to consider their oral chewing needs.
- Moderate chewer / mouthing – a solid or hollow chew is appropriate. You could choose one with different textures or a chew with protruding parts so the user can explore it and gain sensory feedback. Examples are the Chewbuddy Stickman, Chewy Tubes, Chewbuddy Pling or the Ark Grabber.
- Strong chewer / biter – some children (even young ones) can have a very strong need to bite and chew. They will bite hard on chew toys for a prolonged period of time and can quickly break chews designed for moderate chewing. Solid chews which do not have protruding parts (which can be a weak point) are recommended – for example the Chewbuddy Super.
Inspect regularly
Whether the child is younger or older, it is wise to inspect the chewy regularly for wear and tear. If cracks or weaknesses are noted, discard and replace the chewy. Chewies can last a long time but it depends on the biting habits of the chewer and the durability of the materials.
REMEMBER – no chewy is indestructible and eventually all chews will need to be replaced. Make sure you select an appropriate chew and supervise its usage. Inspect it before and after each usage. Some children and adults individuals with heavy oral needs will damage the chew. How long the chew will last depends on the chew used and the needs of the individual user.
