[cdr25]

My son just turned four,and for the last year has been biting his nails and chewing on everything. He has destroyed clothing, sheets, pillows, toys, etc. My pediatrician says it is because he is so smart and when his brain is not stimulated, he stimulates himself orally. He says it will pass (when?). I did get a rubber chewing tube (from a speech therapist, although he has no speech problems) that he uses at night when he is falling asleep. It doesn't seem to help much. A few people have suggested giving him gum during the day to satisfy his oral needs. My son really wants to stop also, and doesn't even realize he is doing the chewing. Anyone else ever hearing of a child like this? Any help or advice would be appreciated! Thanks.

[lucyjoy]

One of my kids chewed on his clothes until about sixth grade. He played an entire game of soccer with his shirt in his mouth. I have another one that's a finger chewer who would bite his fingers until they would swell. Both kids had sensory integration problems and one evaluator suggested chewing gum or chew necklaces. The finger biter stopped after three months of attachment parenting. The other one just stopped when he started caring about what girls thought.