Biting into Foam Objects?

[Anonymous]

My son with AS has been biting into foam things. For example, stress balls, foam water squirters, foam baseball bats. Anything made from that synthetic colored foam material in the house, he bites and rips chunks out of. It's irritating, but it is also a sign of something more? Any advice?

[Anonymous]

My dd -- no diagnosis, but I'm suspecting *something* does this. It's really irritating.

[Anonymous]

Dental check up?

[Anonymous]

Talk with his OT and or SLP. Biting into foam and other interesting textures is very common for children on the spectrum. They are using their mouths to explore and are also looking for oral feedback. There are many different ways to redirect the behavior-using chewy tubes and other devices sometimes helps. Good luck. I know that this can be very frustrating!!

[Anonymous]

It can also be a behavior of typical kids. My friend has twins that both did it and have not shown any other sign of a spectrum condition. They are guaranteed to find and chew anything that is foam like so we literally will take these toys out of the playroom before they visit.

I was a rubber chewer as a child (preferred Barbie toes) and I am also not on the spectrum.

I agree that it's annoying but it's not limited to special needs kids.

[Anonymous]

I second the idea of having plastic tubes on a 'necklace' that they can chew. A good OT can help provide alternatives to the destruction.

[Anonymous]

It's called PICA.

I have it. I love chewing on foam.

Have your DC checked for anemia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's called PICA.

I have it. I love chewing on foam.

Have your DC checked for anemia.

PICA is when you actually ingest the non-food item and not just chew on it.

I doubt it's PICA.