Shirt Chewing

Give him something else that is okay to chew on.

Both of my boys went through this odd stage. And I did too, come to think of it. Focus the behavior onto something else.

It could be a nervous habit or he could have some sensory issues. Look into Sensory Processing Disorder and see if it "fits" his behaviors and reactions to situations and fabrics, etc. It often is co-diagnosed with other neurological issues such as ADD/ADHD or Anxiety Disorder, but it's better to find out now especially if you can find ways to help him cope.

If it does turn out to be SPD, there are sensory objects out there that are safe for him to chew on, suck on, play with in his hands, and more, to satisfy his sensory needs in a safe and subtle way. Many times they're coined "Chewlery." You just do a Google search and a mess of teacher and occupational therapist web sites will pop up, and you can even find sensory objects on Amazon.

My autistic daughter has a chewy pendant that she's allowed to wear and chew on at any time. It keeps her objects safe from destruction, but more importantly it keeps her teeth safe from wear and tear and I know that there's nothing poisonous and it's not a choking hazard. They're relatively inexpensive and easy to replace. They come in bracelets, necklaces, snap-ons... you name it. Various shapes, colors, hardnesses. You'll find a gold mine.

My suggestion is to take him to either a pediatric neurologist and/or a developmental behavioral pediatrician for a neuro-psych evaluation. I think your son could benefit greatly from it.

The question is about how to save his shirts but you are missing the real issue: He needs help for an issue that is actually not all that rare and can be dealt with, but only if you see the real problem here. It's not the shirts, it's his need to chew. If he doesnt' chew the shirts he's going to turn to something else to munch.

Folks have mentioned several different types of specialist here but the one that first occurred to me was "occupational therapist" -- and one who specializes in kids this age.

Some children have a strong need to chew in order to focus their minds at school and doing tasks like homework. For others the issue is sensory. Occupational therapy can help with this. I would not just order him "chewies" and chew necklaces etc. on your own and hand them to him -- these things are designed to be used along with appropriate therapy.

Another thing to know: If you just tell him to take his acceptable chewie to school, the school is likely to confiscate it. He needs to have a therapist's official letter than he must be allowed by the school to chew in class, or the school is very likely to take it away, which will frustrate and upset him, and possibly bring it all to other kids' attention far too much. I don't know if he's in public or private school, but certainly in a public school here he would need an individual education plan in which - in writing -- the school agrees to do what the therapist recommends. That is how my friend's son was allowed to use special chewie erasers on his pencils. The chewing helps him concentrate and as he's gotten older, with therapy, he now is up to chewing gum and/or using his snacks to help him do the chewing he needs (he's twice your son's age so now needs less chewing to focus).

Please realize that any child who is literally chewing holes in clothing every single day is beyond the help you can give him and is going to chew right through whatever items you give him. Go first to his pediatrician and insist on referral to the appropriate therapist, occupational or otherwise, and be ready to work with (and possibly fight with) the school so your son can do what he needs to do in class to concentrate. Going to a therapist does NOT mean he's ill, it just means his brain works a certain way in order to focus.

If the therapist feels this is stress and not a focus issue, you can work on that when the time comes. But please, don't handle this alone at this point - he's beyond that and is at risk of swallowing buttons and fabric - which could be dangerous.

Getting therapy is far better than just replacing shirts or finding chewies on your own.

This sounds like he is seeking sensory input. Has the psychologist mentioned sensory? How has his development been the past 6 yrs?
I have sensory and it is something that needs to be addressed.

Years ago, I referred a child who did this to an occupational therapist who specializes in sensory. This child had to go for occupational therapist a few times a week for the sensory. The child did great and did benefit so much from the OT sessions ! Then, the neurologist tested the child and found ADD and anxiety along w/ the sensory.

Jessica's suggestion is great !

Get another opinion. Message me if you need any more info.

I would try offering him something else to do as alternative. My son went thru a phase of shirt chewing.. most do eventually stop. Often, when they figure out another way to accomplish the same thing (nervous or anxious energy).

My son turned to manipulating small items in his hands. It could be a simple as a squishy stress ball in his pocket to hold under his desk or a piece of string he could twist around and play around with with his fingers. He also started chewing pencil erasers... :/

But that faded too, with time.

Talk to his teacher and ask if he can try a stress ball on his hands. Just be sure your son knows it is not a "toy" and not to be played with (as in throwing, bouncing, etc).

It is a sensory thing for him and is probably more of an issue when he has the noise and chaos of school. Jessica's answer below is a good one.

Here is a resource for great substitute chew items for him. Let him pick out something. Don't let the name of the shop throw you, they have fantastic stuff for all kids. My son has SPD and we bought a number of great items from them.
http://www.autismshop.com/chewables-sensory-items/?sort_b...

My daughters did chewing, problem was nothing you could put on the shirt would stop it. It is like it is so mindless that they aren't even noticing what it taste like or anything.

With them they wore their holy shirts. Don't like it, stop chewing on your shirt! Funny thing was when they saw the holes they didn't chew more, god knows why. Once they were out of the habit of chewing they didn't go back.

I suggest that you give him something that he can chew. My grandson is in a special classroom and they have the kids chew gum. If that's not acceptable get him a chew toy. Allow him to chew on his toys if they're safe to chew on. Something rubber and the size to fit into his mouth. Specialty stores have objects designed just for chewing. An occupational therapist can tell you where to get a chew stick. Or google on line for chew sticks.

Leigh R. is right on. Address the reasons he needs to chew. Get an evaluation. Since you're already seeing a psychologist talk with him about why he thinks your son may be doing this. Ask for names of someone who can evaluate him. I would probably start out with a developmental pediatrician. Others on this site have recommended an occupational therapist for an evaluation. My grandson worked with an OT after having been seen by the developmental pediatrition.

I agree with the last post, Victoria. He needs an alternative. Do they still make those candy necklaces? Maybe that would work. Although I know that's not the best thing to give him, it could be a transitional use.

This is usually a stress mechanism, a nervous habit. What is he worried about? Is there tension, spoken or unspoken around him. Is her nervous in school? There may be something going on in school you don't know about.

He needs to do something with his hands, something constructive. Knitting is a great thing to teach him at this age, if you or someone else knows it. Start with simple finger kniting (on you-tube, if you need it) and then after months get a knitting spool or make a corking tool and have him knit with this, then when he's 7 teach him knitting with two needles. As simple as this sounds, it's amazing how well it works to calm, center and help bring a sense of collectiveness, a sense of well being. Try it. This is only one suggestion of many, but its powerful. Also, google brain gymnastics, these are physcial movements that help to connect the brain, body, spirit designed for children.

I believe getting to cause is half the answer.

The best to you and him for this

My son has some mild sensory processing disorder issues, and I have gotten him fidget toys and a non-toxic brush that he can also mouth. I agree with Jessica that you should find him something that he can bite. When my youngest was teething I was tired of not being able to wear jewelry without him chewing on it (toxic paints or metals), so I found some "Teething Bling" that I wore and he'd teethe on.

They had some pretty gender neutral options too, so you could probably find a necklace that your son could wear. You mention that he wears a uniform, so a necklace on a boy might be considered to be out of uniform, so you would want to check with your school's handbook to see. Otherwise, perhaps a bracelet that he could wear under his shirt.

My 6 yr old son was doing this at school. He would come home with holes in his uniform shirts and sweaters. At home he is also a nail biter and toe nail biter (gross!). At home he will chew his nails while watching TV. I know it's just a mindless thing he does. When he chewed his shirts, I would take him to the tailor shop and made him pay for the repairs out of his piggy bank. It kept happening though. I started to charge him extra for gas money. Finally, my husband walked him to the tailor shop, which is about a mile away. Made him pay for it, etc. He was so tired on the way back. They were buying a fast food take out for lunch and while my husband was ordering, my son was so tired, he asked to sit down at a table. I also told him that I emailed his teacher about chewing on his shirts. The teacher says she has noticed it while he's concentrating and will remind him not to do it. With the combination of walking and emailing his teacher, he hasn't done it again. I think he thought he was going to get in trouble if his teacher saw...not just a reminder not to chew.