Soggy sleeves? Sore, bitten hands and fingers? All this sounding far too familiar? Then like us, you must know someone who likes to chew clothes and fingers.

We are well aware that it might not be possible to stop someone from chewing clothes. We definitely wouldn't want to stop chewing altogether, especially if that chewing was providing sensory feedback and/or comfort and relief. Instead we want to explore safe alternatives that still provide sensory feedback, but without ruining clothes and skin!

Sensory Chews

Without a doubt, sensory chews are a must have for anyone who is prone to chewing. They are purposefully designed to provide a safe alternative to chewing on fingers or clothing and can satisfy the need to chew in a safe and appropriate way.

How to choose the best sensory chew

Make sure you opt for a reputable brand with good reviews. We've put together a little check list of things to consider to help you choose the correct chew.

  1. Safety - look for chews made from appropriate materials and steer away from ones that have protruding parts. Especially if the person you're buying a chew for is an aggressive chewer.
  2. Chewing habits - make sure you match the chew to the chewers biting style. Some sensory chews can be quite soft, whereas others are stronger, designed to withstand more aggressive chewing.
  3. Texture - does the individual respond better to certain textures? Sensory chews come in a variety of different finishes such as smooth, dimpled or ridged – great for additional sensory feedback.
  4. Colour - choose a colour suited to the individual. If you know the user has an aversion to a particular colour then don't buy a chew in that shade!
  5. Age - chews come in a variety of styles to suit children, teens and adults. Sensory teethers are good for small children or opt for smaller more discreet chews for fashion conscious teens or adults.
  6. Where will it be worn? - would the user benefit from a chew on a safety lanyard around the neck or a bangle around the wrist? Some chews even go onto pencils or hoody toggles. Think carefully about where and how the chew will be used.
  7. Hygiene - make sure you can give it a good old clean!

Chewbuddy™ Sensory Chews

Safety is of great importance to us, so we designed the Chewbuddy™ range. All our Chewbuddy™ Sensory Chews are:

  • Tested for compliance with all relevant safety standards (including phthalates and BP).
  • Made from medical grade materials – NO phthalates, PVC, BPA, or Latex (so safe to chew).
  • CE Marked (quality assurance).
  • Suitable for cleaning in a steriliser or dishwasher.
  • Come with a safety lanyard so the Chewbuddy can be worn safely around the neck.

We proudly stock a range of different designs including the Chewbuddy™ Stickman, Chewbuddy™ Bangle, Chewbuddy™ Disc, Chewbuddy™Ghost, Chewbuddy™ Skull, Chewbuddy™Tubes and  Chewbuddy™ Pl!ng. View our full range online and find the best chew for you!

 

Comfort Scarf

Some people we know like to chew on shirt collars or jumper shoulders. Whilst not harmful behaviour, it can be especially uncomfortable when the clothing gets wet. It can also cause skin irritation from dribble. For this reason we developed our comfort scarfs. A safer more practical chewing solution especially for those who like to chew collars.

Made from a soft, absorbent material the comfort scarfs are really easy to wear. They also have a velcro fastening for quick release when required.

 

Protective Cuffs

If the person in question is used to repetitively chewing on their cuffs or sleeves, it may be difficult to stop the action of chewing something on a wrist. You could first try a Chewbuddy™ Bangle, designed to be worn on the wrist. They're available in a range of colours and can be worn on their own or several at the same time, providing some weight to the wrists.

Another suggestion is to try a pair of protective cuffs. These are protective covers that strap around the wrist to prevent you from chewing shirt sleeves and jumpers.  They can be worn over shirt sleeves or jumpers and chewed in a safe manner. Made from a wipe clean, water resistant fabric for easy cleaning, and a soft inner fleece for maximum comfort.

Hand and Wrist Covers

If the user is prone to chewing on their hands or knuckles then you might want to try hand and wrist covers instead.These are designed to fit across the back of the hand and wrist, and help stop you chewing on hands and knuckles as well as clothing. The outer fabric is soft, wipeable and water resistant whilst the inner is made from soft fleece, so it's gentle on skin. Each cover has a wide velcro fastening that's adjustable, so you can get them to fit just right.

They are also available with weights which some people use to provide some proprioceptive feedback to the hands and wrists. This can be great for working on handwriting or fine motor skills.

 

Comfort Safety Lanyards

Our final suggestion is to try our new comfort safety lanyards. We've long been asked for a 'chewable lanyard' that provides oral sensory feedback AND is safe to chew. So we listened and got to work designing just that product! The result is our new comfort safety lanyards - chewable, absorbent and comfortable safety lanyards.

Available in a pack of 3 (so you've always got one to hand!) they're made from soft, absorbent terry towelling material. Safe to chew on their own or compatible with either a Chewbuddy™ Stickman or Chewbuddy™ Pl!ng chew.

 

 

Get in touch!

We hope that our suggestions help provide a safe, alternative to chewing on clothes and hands.

If you have any tips or advice on how you've helped someone stop chewing on their clothes then we'd love to hear from you. Please get in touch at info@sensorydirect.com or contact us via facebook or instagram.

By Andrew Caws
Managing Director of Sensory Direct & Parent of an Autistic Adult
October 2024