Need help with shredding Hi there, I have a question for you experienced parents here.  Although we don't have a firm diagnosis yet, part of my son's problem is anxiety. His therapist today suggested stress balls to squeeze, because what my son does at school and in the van is shred and destroy things - sawing paint off pencils, turning a Happy Meal box into confetti, shredding papers he DOES care about, etc. His teacher is constantly removing things from his hands at school - he'll be fidgeting inside his desk with his hands, and there's just confetti everywhere.  His anxiety level has been higher again here lately with all the appointments, etc. My question is what kind of fidget-toy works best for you?  We once tried the sand-filled rubber squeeze balls, but what he did was peel the layers of rubber until it was destroyed.  I'm looking at eBay at all kinds of stuff, but I'm just wondering what experienced parents would recommend.  By the way, he's almost 10. Thank you! Oh, and with highlighters and felt pens, he uses them to saturate layers of pages by holding it in place, then he makes holes where the paper is damp. If he does not have OT, get him evaluated for that.  An occumpational therapist can help with these sensory issues. And his IEP ought to include what stress-relieving items he CAN use in school. My own son often takes a facecloth and chews on the corner.  He does not do this in school because he realizes it's stigmatizing, but it sure relieves him.  When he was younger, a lump of Play Doh worked wonders. Of course, anti-anxiety meds have also helped immensely.  Good luck. From our experience, OT therapy can only help so much.  It is definitely worth trying, but we've had limited success with therapy.  I agree with tzoya, I think it would be worth trying anti-anxiety meds, if you haven't already tried them. Okay, although I don't talk much about my own oddities, I will for the sake of your son..(shrugging in embarrasment). Although my kids haven't reached this point yet, I was much like this as a kid, even still am today.  I carry a mini thing of playdoh around with me.  Only bad part about that is people can constantly smell it (but usually like it).  But I take it to my meetings, use it in the car, etc.  Another thing that helped me as a kid was to put glue on the top of my hand, let it dry and peel it.  I know this sounds crazy and I'm not real sure how well it would be received by therapist, teachers and such, but it worked for me.  I will also intentionally put nailpolish on so I can peel it.  It will all be off within hours but I find that I'm super calm the rest of the day.  I realize your child is a boy, but maybe clear nailpolish might work?  Once again, don't know how safe these are, but it works for me.  If I don't do this I find myself picking at my face or pull on my hair a lot. I did see on ebay once this lady made fidget keychains, that had a bunch of different gadgets and textures on it to play with.  That looked like something that would work. He's been on Celexa since mid-december.  Has helped but you should see the back seat of our van.... Shandalyn1 - that was SO incredibly nice of you!  Thank you for sharing that with me - especially since you felt self conscious about it. I did buy a twistie thing on eBay last night.  It has a bunch of macaroni shaped tubes connected so you can twist the links limitlessly.  I'm also looking at squeeze balls.  Just didn't know if foam was good, gel filled ones were good, etc.  I'm trying to find stuff both for home and that can be set in his desk. You're so nice!
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