Welcome to my "Ask Me Anything" blog post series!
I answer lots of questions on my social media channels, and it makes sense to share this information (anonymously!) in case it is useful for others, too.
"I work with a boy who has started grinding his teeth. It doesn’t seem to be because he is stressed or anxious, he is happy, he's engaged in playing and learning, but still grinds constantly. I am guessing that it is sensory seeking; it is just way too much. Any ideas for redirection? I have tried chewy toys and those didn’t work."
The mouth is our most sensitive area after the genitalia. If he’s touch-seeking, then this would be a great way!
Don’t rule out Chewy's just yet, there is a huge variety to try, including vibrating ones! There is some more info on them in this blog post.
Crunchy snacks regularly in the day might meet this need too, things like mini ice cubes, apples, twiglets, hula hoops, dry cereal, etc.
Alternatively, you could focus on meeting your sensory needs. Maybe wearing loops or a similar equivalent could help your auditory sensitivity to this particular sound :)
I hope that helps! If you have any other questions, let me know.
*I am not a doctor or medical professional, so for some questions, you might want to contact your GP, the National Autistic Society, or the NHS.
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