Biting | Autism PDD

Asher has always mouthed things.  He has, on rare occasions, bit himself and other people when he was mad or frustrated.  Lately, he has been biting all the time.  I know he has the physicial need to bite becasue he says "I want to bite.".  I give him safe things to bite, he carries around a "chewy".  But, I wonder if that is making it worse (it certainly has gotten worse since I introduced that).

Also, now that I have made a big deal out of the biting, he will scratch people really hard insted (he is still biting though, even more...just that now biting is being added to the list).  (And this is a kid who is going to be mainstreamed into Kindergarten next year.)

There are plenty of other reasons...new baby, new help in the house, no school, camp, etc.  But, still, he just can't bite.

Any ideas?

rockys39261.2737847222I don't think the chewy is making it worse because he has stopped biting right? he has moved on to another thing scratching right? When ever we got my son to stop one sensory issue he moved on to another. Sometimes worse than the thing he was doing before. You need to inform the Teacher next year about his sensory issues and see if their Autism people can come up with a  plan on how to handle this. Maybe a reward for not doing it, If he could go 10 minutes without scratching, he gets a reward, or something he could carry around with him to keep his hands busy, I would also keep his nails cut short so it dosen't hurt when he scratches. My son went from biting to clawing to clapping his hands, we can live with the clapping. It takes time, but make sure School knows this is a sensory issue, he should not get punished for this, he should be rewarded for not doing it. Positive reinforcement., has worked best for us. Hope this helps. How old did you say he is?[QUOTE=LeAnne C]How old did you say he is?[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Family][QUOTE=LeAnne C]How old did you say he is?[/QUOTE] [/QUOTE] To Leanne,

Hello i have a son who is 4 his name is Elijah he has PDD/Autism high functioning and a son with Aspergers Ryan who has Aspergers. My little one bites when frustrated i can't get him to stop biting me. Ive tried time outs and my doctor says Resperdal would help him he also holds his bowels. Is so afraid of the doctors. Dr Wang a Gastraoligist said he has a intestinal problem and behavioral also. Alsot of sensory issues to Please help if you have any suggestions to help Elijah. Thank You Tammie

Be consistent in letting him know biting is not good and unacceptable.  He will understand over time.  You might want to chart what happens before he bites, who he bites and when and how often this occurs to help you understand what causes him to bite.  When you understand what triggers it you will be more able to control the triggers and find other ways for him to deal with his frustration.

Concernedpa.

You may want to try leather. It kind of feels like skin, and it worked for my son. He is six 1/2 and it is no longer a problem. He still mouths things a lot though.Asher is 5 1/2 and WAY too old for this!!!!i agree with rewarding him everytime he gets frustrated and chooses NOT to bite or scratch.  also, you can immediately shape the behavior if he does choose to do these things, preferably if you can catch his intentions before he actually does it. (so you are not reinforcing the neg. behavior w/ any type of attn.)  if it looks like he is going to bite, put the chewy tube in his mouth.  if you can see he is about to scratch, what about having him run the fingertips of one hand over the palm of the other, like a washing board?  if you dont catch him in time, make sure he does something positive (labeling his emotion etc.) before you address the neg behavior.  there are a few books set up like social stories dealing w/ aggression and biting in particular.  does he like to read-be read to?Sebastian turned 5 , 2 days ago and he started biting more about 2 weeks ago and he likes to chew on paper. he got me real good on the arm after getting frustrated about something he was watching on t.v, he got my vein and it was black and blue and the size of a large cookie for about a week and a half. Im getting good at dodging, and just moving away and telling him to be nice and gentle, because Mommy is nice and soft and gentle with Sebastian, and now he is kissing my arm after I remind him not to bite but to be gentle.I would love a solution to this as my 8 year old bites himself and me regularly, especailly in moments of anger and severe stressors - my arms and his are black and blue a lot - we have tried EVERYTHING.
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