Food "Storage" | Autism PDD

Okay, here's something new my little sweetheart is doing ... he'll take a piece of food (usually something like a waffle or an apple muffin -- things he used to really enjoy eating) and will hold it in his mouth for a good 30-40 mins.  You can imagine what happens during that time!  I can tell he's doing it be/c his mouth looks funny and he won't make any open-mouthed sounds, although he will moan through closed lips if he wants something.  The only way I can get him to relieve himself of said "food" (and I use that term very loosely after it's been in his mouth so long!) is to offer him something he likes to drink.  Then he opens his mouth and ... well, let's just say we've been thru a lot of shirt changes lately!

Anyone have any experience with this??  And how do I get him to STOP?!  He's usually a great eater (not so much variety-wise, but chewing-wise ... he eats meat as well as his daddy!).

Thanks for your input!
Kellie
My son does that with milk to an certain extent. He will take a sip
and hold it in his mouth for several minutes before swallowing. I
don't understand it, but his ST says it is probably because he needs
some oral input. She suggested I try giving him something else to
chew or keep in his mouth. He has a rubber tube he chews on that I
got from her called a chewy tube. It seems to curb his keeping
things he shouldn't in his mouth. If you can't find that try teething
toys or gum (if he doesn't tend to swallow that).
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