Tia,
My son chewed on stones, rocks, sticks, etc. We gave him dry pasta to chew. You have to monitor it because some pasta can be a choking hazard, but it helped reduce his stone chewing. He still likes to eat dry pasta.
Hope it helps.
Hi
I am asking this question on behalf of a friend whose nearly 6 yo, non verbal son has started swallowing stones (as well as a lot of other sensory things as he makes the transition to school).
Has anyone got some practical suggestions on what can be done about this particular problem?
TIA
Ladies & Gentleman... Fathers, Mothers, Grandparents, Uncles, Aunties, Teachers, Caregivers, Doctors, Therapists
THIS IS A TRUE SCENARIO !!! It happened to another 6 year old at the same intervention centre as my boy when he was 6 (He's now 8). Her mother related the story to us herself !!
Solution ??? I'm afraid I don't have... BUT food for thought for us if we are hearing it the first time (NO PUN INTENDED!!! This is serious stuff !!!)
Wow -- a NT boy adopted from Guatemala on another list I belong to just recently had to undergo a GI prep and upper and lower GI, for swallowing rocks! He had rectal bleeding.
WHAT is up with that?
My DS loves to chew ice, has since he came to me (also at 2) from Guatemala. It terrifies me that he will choke (never has though -- clearly he is not my bio-kid or he WOULD
How are his blood iron levels? Could it be PICA?
Which is so strange since my ASD kid freaks out when there is hard stuff in his food!
I'm thinking maybe they need the minerals??? Okay, it's a shot in the dark, just throwing it out there lol!
[QUOTE=tiredASmom]
maybe they need the minerals??? Okay, it's a shot in the dark, just throwing it out there lol!
[/QUOTE]
Not at ALL. THAT's PICA! Google it ... it is generally caused by iron deficiency anemia.
Hi Tia,
What to do about swallowing stones? As much prevention as possible.
child proof, child proof, child proof.
Outdoor play? All outdoor play monitored until behavior stops.
These stones can cause an obstruction, and in the worst case cause the child to need emergency surgery to relieve the obstruction.
We did a couple of things... that were less successful.... we found if Rozie had something in her hands that she liked (like a wisk) she was less likel to pick up and put rocks in her mouth. We constantly watched her and tried to redirect it but seemed that there was no end in sight.
The most successful was taking her immediately inside when she put a rock in her mouth. She loves being outside. If she tantrummed we waited for it to end and then counted to 5 and returned outside. If she picked up a rock she would be reminded "no mouth". If she put another stone in her mouth we went back in and then out etc etc... that went on surprisingly few days. We'd also remove the rock of course from her mouth. She quickly learned that putting stones in your mouth results in going inside... where she didn't prefer to be.
As much prevention as possible.
child proof, child proof, child proof.
Outdoor play? All outdoor play monitored until behavior stops.
[/QUOTE]
I agree.....Erin ate a LOT of dirt/sand/mulch......never fully swallowed a stone....but wouldn't have been shocked if she did......
She DID outgrow it.....but for a LONG time ( 2 years ) I had to vigilant and it was REALLY hard.
The trick that got her to stop eating sand at the beach was marching her to the water, making her SIT in the water and washing out the sand....she hated it....I felt MEAN...but.....after a couple times and of course she had to test every now and again for good measure....she stopped completely. Find the deterrant that works !!
That was easy for beach, but no water accessible at playgrounds, schools, etc....that was harder.....
What do you do about the child who puts lots of things that are not edible in his
mouth?
Autism SA Information Sheet 19 Eating difficulties December 2004
Remember that mouthing is a normal developmental stage that most children go through
at a young age. Your child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder may do this later than other
children, so don't panic. Just accept it as a normal developmental stage that will pass. Some children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder eat grass and other plants. Make sure
there are no dangerous plants in your garden. Any nursery or the Department of
Agriculture should be able to advise you if you have any doubts. Offer substitutes if you see
your child eating plants, for example a piece of fruit (but not chips, chocolate). Generally
eating garden plants does not appear to have any ill effects on a child, though it does not
do much for the garden.
Try ignoring the behaviour. It may be that your over-the-top reaction to a child mouthing
his sleeves is enough to keep him doing it, just to check how you'll react.
If your child is chewing collars and cuffs of clothing to the point where clothes are
becoming very frayed, or are constantly soggy, you can try painting the collar or cuffs with
a solution that is used to stop people biting their fingernails (available from chemists). It
tastes very bitter, and may be enough to remind the child of what he is doing. Chewing
may have become a habit he is not even aware of, very much like some people who chew
their nails.
Try to avoid the situation and break the habit. For example put your child in shirts or
jumpers that do not have a collar.
The chewing may come and go, and be a sign that something is not right. It could be a
result of stress, which is a problem for most children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder,
so look at what may be causing the situation and try to change that. The chewing may just
mean that your child is getting more teeth.
Source: http://www.autismsa.org.au/pdf/strategies/IS19_Eating_diffic ulties.pdf
There is also this apple bitter spray at the pet store-sounds horrible I know. It is to prevent puppies from chewing on things. It may be easier to spray on outdoor items than paint on nail polish.