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Real members of MyAutismTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.
A MyAutismTeam Member asked a question 💭
Canton, OH

I need a lil insight please. Sammy is almost 7. He has NEVER chewed on anything. Today, I watched his dad get him off the bus out the front window and he ran right by him, into the front door and into my arms where he started crying. That part happens on a rare ocassion. But today when he did it he started to bite n chew on me. Not bite to hurt but like it was a sensory thing. Chewed on my arm, my hand, my shirt. Like he couldn't chew fast enough. I know he was upset about something but can… read more

April 8, 2013
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Answer Summary

Members rallied around a parent whose seven-year-old son suddenly began chewing on them after getting off the bus upset, sharing that chewing... Read more

Members rallied around a parent whose seven-year-old son suddenly began chewing on them after getting off the bus upset, sharing that chewing behaviors often signal anxiety, sensory needs, or difficulty expressing emotions verbally. Several members recommended practical tools including chewable fidgets, frozen washcloths, plastic tubing necklaces from hardware stores, Lego minifigures for discreet fidgeting, and products like chewalry or chewy tubes available through occupational therapists. A recurring theme was recognizing these behaviors as communication, with one member beautifully reframing their son's sensory-seeking actions as his way of saying he missed them.

A MyAutismTeam Member

my son pets and licks me. Drives me crazy

April 9, 2013
A MyAutismTeam Member

A new thing my son has started doing is smelling me. I do not work, I stay home with him all day except when he is at school. When his father comes home from work I usually leave and go to the store or get the mail for about 15-30 minutes(break time for me.) Every time I come back home he runs over to me and gives me a big hug and starts to smell me. I believe he can not express in words that he missed me so he uses his senses to communicate it with me. I feel so loved by him when he does this. Maybe your child missed you so much but could not express it in words. What a beautiful thing in my eyes : )

April 8, 2013
A MyAutismTeam Member

Lolol I can imagine! Lol

April 10, 2013
A MyAutismTeam Member

@A MyAutismTeam Member i tried to solve the licking problem by licking my hand and wiping it all over his face. He hated it and thought it was disgusting. Being a boy, disgusting is good so he thought it was funny and did it more. It turned into a slober fest. Talk about a backfire!

April 10, 2013 (edited)
A MyAutismTeam Member

@A MyAutismTeam Member my son went thru a phase of licking too. Yuck lol. The petting was ok since it didn't involve his slobber lol.

April 9, 2013 (edited)

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