Chewing on clothing, often called oral seeking, is a common self-regulation strategy for some children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This consistent need to mouth non-food items is typically a search for sensory input that helps the child feel calm, organized, and focused. While the behavior may seem minor, it can damage clothes and poses potential health and safety risks. Addressing this behavior successfully involves understanding the underlying need and providing safe, appropriate, and accessible alternatives.
Identifying the Sensory Needs Driving Oral Seeking
Oral seeking behavior is deeply rooted in the nervous system because the mouth is a highly sensitive area. Chewing provides proprioceptive input, which is the sense of deep pressure gained from the jaw muscles. This deep pressure feedback from the jaw has a calming effect, helping a child feel grounded and secure.
The behavior often serves as a way to manage stress or anxiety, functioning as a self-soothing mechanism in overwhelming situations. The repetitive action helps them regulate emotions when they are feeling sensory overload or dysregulation. Chewing may also be a tool for concentration, providing sensory input to keep the nervous system alert.
The search for oral input is not random; the child may be seeking a specific texture, temperature, or resistance that the clothing provides. Understanding whether the chewing is a response to stress, a need for deep pressure, or a focus aid is important for selecting the most effective replacement strategy. This insight guides the choice of tool, ensuring the alternative meets the child’s neurological requirement.
Practical Tools for Oral Sensory Input Replacement
The most direct and effective strategy is to introduce a safe, designated item to replace the clothing. These items, often called chewelry or sensory chews, are designed to withstand aggressive chewing and provide the desired oral feedback. They are made from non-toxic, food-grade silicone or medical-grade materials, ensuring they are safe for mouthing.
Chewelry comes in many forms, including necklaces, bracelets, and pencil toppers, making them portable and readily available. Offering a variety of textures is important, as some children prefer smooth surfaces while others seek bumpy or ridged designs for greater tactile input. The level of firmness also matters, with tools designed for light chewers and others for those who need more aggressive resistance.
Introducing the tool effectively involves making it appealing and accessible, allowing the child to choose the shape or color they prefer. The tool must be consistently presented as the appropriate alternative whenever the child begins to chew their clothes. Consistent redirection helps form a new, safer habit that still satisfies the sensory need.
Adjusting the Environment and Implementing Behavioral Supports
Beyond chewelry, broader environmental adjustments and supportive behavioral techniques reduce the reliance on chewing clothing. Modifying the environment involves removing tempting clothing items, such as shirts with loose drawstrings or thick collars. Alternatively, parents can use protective cuffs or specialized chewable fabric worn over the sleeves, redirecting the chewing to a safe, designated cloth.
Simple behavioral strategies focus on positive reinforcement, which involves praising or rewarding the child when they use the designated chew tool instead of their clothes. A reward system, such as earning a sticker or a small treat, can motivate the child to use the appropriate alternative consistently. This approach focuses on building a desirable behavior rather than punishing the undesirable one.
Creating structured “oral motor breaks” throughout the day proactively meets the sensory need before it escalates to chewing clothes. These breaks can include:
- Eating crunchy or chewy snacks like carrots or dried fruit.
- Drinking thick liquids through a narrow straw to provide intense oral stimulation.
Such activities provide high-intensity sensory input that helps regulate the nervous system and reduce the urge to chew.
Recognizing Health Risks and Seeking Professional Intervention
While chewing clothes is often a self-regulation strategy, it carries health risks. Chewing fabric can lead to dental damage, especially if the child is a heavy chewer. Ingestion of non-digestible material can cause gastrointestinal issues or blockages. Additionally, fabrics contain dyes and chemicals not intended for consumption, posing a risk of toxicity.
When a child is consistently chewing or ingesting non-food items, this behavior is known as Pica and requires professional attention. Parents should seek help from a pediatrician if they observe health concerns like intestinal distress or unexplained nutritional deficiencies. A referral to an Occupational Therapist (OT) specializing in sensory integration provides a customized “sensory diet” plan.
An OT assesses the child’s sensory profile and introduces targeted oral motor exercises to strengthen the jaw and meet the need for proprioceptive input. If the behavior is intense, persistent, or severely impacting the child’s safety, a professional specializing in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) can implement a structured intervention plan. These professionals work collaboratively to ensure the child has safe and effective ways to manage their sensory needs.