apraxia and putting things in mouth?

Melissa - posted on 12/14/2010

Ok have you had him checked with sensory issues because my son too has this problem.And Im also stressing to moms that a nero syk is important to rule out other things.But is your son on an IEP at his school?The school can be held resposible to have these things check with your permission.I also recomend a family advocate for you and this helps you to have a voise for your child threw there help,I have this here in Mass and it is such a gift.They goto school meetings with me and help brain storm Ideas to help my son,It dont hurt to check with your local counsling service and see what they have for Family support with a child with Apraxia.My son is also very hyper active and has behaveral problems and sleeping at night because he is so charged up.Get any support you can because your going to need it for yourself and him.Good Luck

Angela - posted on 12/07/2010

Thank you for your input - I have been trying and trying to find something that doesn't look babyish for him to chew on - the coil keyring is a very good idea. As for the speech - he does have issues, he's just to approximately a 3 year old level and he's 6 1/2. The school he's with has helped him tremendously and he also has speech twice a week as well as an OT that does Cranial sacro which has worked almost a miracle with his spontaneous speech.
Again, thanks!

Sarah - posted on 12/06/2010

@angela-- it might not be apraxia, unless he has some speech component to it too. I am 99.9% positive that he would be diagnosed with sensory issues. What I would suggest is putting together a container of appropriate things for him to mouth. When you see that he is eating or mouthing something inappropriate, take it away and hand him something he IS allowed to mouth. As I have previously said, my son sensory seeks in his mouth...some of his faves are sour candy. He went through a phase where he ate as many sour patch kids as we would let him have. He also likes stuff like lemon wedges to suck on. Things like coil keyrings are good non-food items for him to mouth.

Angela - posted on 12/06/2010

My son hasn't been diagnosed with apraxia, but with all the postings that I'm reading, it sure sounds like he has it! He's currently 6 and still eats markers and crayons. Recently he started sucking on his hands/fingers, he doesn't even realize it. When he was little he was 'belly up' to a window sill and 'eat' the drywall (yes, I'm serious) and no issues. He would eat whole pieces of paper, still will if there isn't anything else to chew on. As for advice? I wish I knew more, but I do know that the dr's weren't at all worried about the stuff he's eating. He doesn't have the thing where kids eat dirt, etc (can't remember that name) but he does and will eat dirt and pebbles and sand.

Joanne - posted on 05/27/2010

my little girl is 5 years. I believe is has a lot to do with the apraxia. My daughter didn't go through the oral oppression as a baby and I think that now that developmental stage is happening as her speech and language skills get higher she needs the oral stimulation.

Pamela - posted on 05/20/2010

my daughter is almost 5 and still uses a soother because she always needs something in her mouth

Sarah - posted on 05/12/2010

it is a sensory seeking behavior. There are things that you can give children to chew on that are more appropriate than clothing and books. Some examples are: lengths of fish tank tubing on a string, coil keychains. If a child likes them, crunchy foods, super sour foods ( my 4 year old craves cut lemons), spicy foods ( my 14 year old like banana peppers and pepper-jack cheese). You can find more things at http://www.superduperinc.com/search/sear... just type "oral motor" into the search box

Jennifer - posted on 05/04/2010

Hi,
My son is 4 and has gone through many shirts because of him chewing the sleeves up. He also puts everything in his mouth, I don't know if it has anything to do with the apraxia but I will certainly ask my child's psychologist on his next appointment. My son was also diagnosed as ADHD and has Situational Behavior Disorder.

Jennifer - posted on 02/14/2010

I suspect this is something else, like a way for him to relieve tension. Some kids are sensory smart and there are books on this you could read to see if it sounds like him? Maybe buy him a toy for him to chew on, we all have our things we do to stimulate ourselves or calm ourselves.... don't let him get away with wrecking furniture. Some kids need a candy or gum or a pencil to chew on to help them relax and focus! I think could just be a sign of anxiety or he could be a sensory smart kid, which gives you something to learn about and check out.... I don't think it is at all connected to apraxia, just a little something else, maybe doesnt' help he has apraxia though.

Robin - posted on 02/14/2010

My child was terrible with chewing on things, especially cardboard books. He is 4 and will still put things in his mouth, but not quite as bad as he use to. He does ocassionally chew on his shirt around the neck which totally stretches it out.

Jennifer - posted on 02/11/2010

my son used to do the same thing also, until we started working with an occupational therapist, who did several mouth strenthing excersises with him. Here we are about 1 1/2 years later and he rarely puts anything in his mouth. She said it was for oral stimulation. We also used an electric tooth brush (she said to have him chew on this twice a day for 10-15 mins), something with the vibrating seems to satisfy them. Hope this helps!

Jennifer - posted on 02/11/2010

my son used to do the same thing also, until we started working with an occupational therapist, who did several mouth strenthing excersises with him. Here we are about 1 1/2 years later and he rarely puts anything in his mouth. She said it was for oral stimulation. We also used an electric tooth brush (she said to have him chew on this twice a day for 10-15 mins), something with the vibrating seems to satisfy them. Hope this helps!