Speech and OT Q and A's 


Disclaimer: the advice given in our Q and A section is NOT a substitution for medical advice. Please consult your physician or the early intervention specialist in your area.

 

Q: My son is three and he still puts EVERYTHING in his mouth. I don’t know if I should be concerned. Could he have some kind of sensory problem?

Not necessarily. You didn’t say, but is your son just putting anything and everything in his mouth and gnawing/chewing on it or is he actually eating things he’s not supposed to? If he’s eating weird stuff, things that aren’t food, take him to the pediatrician. Sometimes children can have some kind of deficiency which causes them to eat bizarre things. If it’s just a matter of the gnawing and the chewing, it could be a “sensory thing”. If you are concerned, of course have him looked at and evaluated by an occupational therapist. There are special toys designed for children just like your son that are available on websites such as www.thetherapyshoppe.com. They have all kinds of things – toys that vibrate which can help stimulate or “wake up” a child’s mouth and toys that have unusual textures that keep the interest of your child. You can even purchase flavorings that keep things interesting so your son might not be so interested in EVERYTHING, just the things you give to him. He’ll know those toys are his and when he wants to put something in his mouth he can go find one of his toys.

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