What’s consider stimming?

Might sound really odd, but I worked in disability for 7 years and I don't know if I already did it or picked it up, but I stim and have no disability or diagnosis of anything 😂 Idk, me personally I wouldn't be concerned, happy stims are actually quite common in people who don't have any diagnosis or anything! If he wasn't talking, communicating, etc then I'd be concerned but age 2 I feel is still early to tell! With the chewing, it could be cause all of his teeth have recently come through and he likes the feeling? Maybe molars are coming through?

Yeah he really isn’t vocally speaking 😅 he does other things but recently have bitten off his lovely toy and noticed his foam blocks also have marks both are different texture but kinda fun texture as well so I kinda get it but the concerning is that is new and more continuously and I haven’t seen on anything else. But thank you

have him get tested for Pica!! This is what was going on with my son and he got diagnosed for it.. but he would like to chew on extension cords and consume things he not supposed to.

@Kai Jai what is it? Hmm we already have him in OT and ST I’m sure they would say something?

My sons the same his 2 and he literally chews everything we have had to take all his wooden toys and books as we caught him chewing off his books and wooden toys we mention it to the heath visitor and she said it could be a few thing like vitamin deficiency, a symptom of autism or it could just be a kid thing and not to worry to much unless you see them going out there way looking for things to chew on which he doesn’t do but if it’s there his munches one lol but first son didnt do it but every kids different have a word with the health visitor just to ease your mind xxx

@Donna okay thank you

I wouldn’t worry too much yet 🤍 kids sort through so much at young ages just keep up with organizing the toys and keeping them put away- he could just be overwhelmed by toys…. I know that’s a thing in our house I have to put things away every night- it’s tiring but it helps him start the day calmly. Works for my older son too!

My son is 2 and he chews through his sleep sacks…..like every morning I pick up pieces of filling and fabric….im wondering the same thing about him. He was chewing his sheets but I changed from bamboo to cotton b/c it was harder to tear up

@Catherine wow yeah I haven’t seen it before but I’ll keep an eye on it

@Alana thanks 🙂

Stimming is repetitive movements that help you to regulate. Ie flapping hands or making certain noises. Mouthing objects can be a sensory seeking behaviour which is slightly different. Children often do it when they are undersensitive to oral input and need that feeling of licking, sucking and chewing objects. Pica is different again - some children need to eat things that aren't food abit like pregnancy cravings for soap etc having said all of that, 2 is very early to worry about any of this unless you also have other concerns.

@Jo yes our OT has mentioned he is a sensory seeker but I don’t really know what it means or what to do when I see it happening

It won't let me reply to your message so hopefully you still see this. I'm not an expert but I'm an early years teacher and mum to a boy with sensory difficulties so I'll do my best to tell you what I know. Sensory seeking basically means they are undersensitive with some or all senses and will do things that might seem unusual in order to seek out sensory experiences that you or I might get through "normal" activity. For example chewing and licking to get a better sensation of oral touch. They might also enjoy loud noises - making them or being around them and enjoy watching lights. You can also be over sensitive and actively avoid these things. My little boy is over sensitive in some areas and undersensitive in others. This is normal in babies and young todlers but if they are still doing it when they are school age it can indicate some special educational needs.

Let him do it as long as its safe. If not find something that is safe to give him where he can get the same experience. It might just be that at this stage of his development, that's what he is needing

Okay with that going on along with not vocally speaking, then I would utilize local early intervention. I recently did this before I left on maternity leave.

@Jo thank you ❤️ still trying to watch for times he’s doing these action during an activity but i feel a bit better now on it