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How to stop a child who is severely affected by asd mouthing all objects?

liz - 2007-11-11 05:35:16 - Preschool

I am aware that this is a sensory and explority activity but he spends all his time doing this. I have also thought he does not know what else to do with the toys objects. I have noticed that when he is doing something he enjoys he does not mouth objects and appears more in tune.I am unsure if I should attempt to stop him or try to reduce it. I would be gratefull for any advice.

Best Answer:

Your answer is in your own question. You said that he tends to not mouth objects when he is doing something he enjoys or engaged. WE all stim (chew our pencil, twirl our hair) when we are not engaged. The goal for working with children with more severe autism is to teach them more and more appropriate things to engage him. You also mentioned he does not how to play appropriately with toys. My advice would be to not directly try to stop or prevent him from mouthing objects but to build a bigger repertoire of things he can do instead of mouthing objects. Teaching him new play activities and building more preferred activities that keep him engaged. As he learns these new skills the mouthing of objects will decrease on its own.

Answers:

I currently work with a child that is doing the same exact thing. This is what I have found to be helpful. I will take the toy and give him an appropriate way to play with it by modeling. We have also recently implemented a technique called "brushing" and an oral motor sensory program to give him the feedback he needs orally, so all the toys don't go straight to his mouth. My only argument with all of this, is that this is a normal stage in development for children and many of these children are behind developmentally. Depending upon where your child falls on the aspect as far as development, this may be something he needs to do like all children. I know it seems inappropriate maybe because of his age, but if he developmentally is at that stage where children mouth things...I think you need to allow as much as you would with any other typically developing child!

Put small objects away from him. Small children tend to do this

Your answer is in your own question. You said that he tends to not mouth objects when he is doing something he enjoys or engaged. WE all stim (chew our pencil, twirl our hair) when we are not engaged. The goal for working with children with more severe autism is to teach them more and more appropriate things to engage him. You also mentioned he does not how to play appropriately with toys. My advice would be to not directly try to stop or prevent him from mouthing objects but to build a bigger repertoire of things he can do instead of mouthing objects. Teaching him new play activities and building more preferred activities that keep him engaged. As he learns these new skills the mouthing of objects will decrease on its own.