Oral Sensitive Kids

With Sensory Processing Disorder, there are two different kinds of oral sensitive kids.  There are kids that crave oral stimulation, and then there are kids that show oral defensiveness. Some kids can be both.

Kids that crave oral stimulation tend to: stuff their mouths with food, want intense flavor, are always mouthing objects, enjoy the feeling of food all over their face, and might swallow without chewing. It is important to give these children healthy stimulation by:

·        Giving them appropriate things to chew on: chewlry, chewy tubes, chewy stix, chew bracelet, critter vibes, or chewing candy (gum, tootsie rolls, laffy taffy))

·        Give them intense flavors when they need more stimulation (icebreaker candy, airhead sour candy, sour spray, flavored salt)

·        Give them something crunchy or chewy to eat

·        Use the Critter Vibe, Z- Vibe, Jigglers, or vibrating tooth brush to massage their mouth

·        Do oral motor exercises to massage their mouth

 

Kids that are oral defensive tend to: have limited diets, hate brushing teeth, gag easily, and dislike food and liquids on their face. It is important to work with these children to help them with their defensiveness. When working with them, always remember to not be forceful. Keep the environment calm and playful. If the child starts showing signs of anxiety and fear, slow down or change the activity. You can help stimulate these children by:

·        Trying to get them to place chewy objects with different textures in their mouth. Move the object around the mouth to let them explore the texture (different kinds of baby teething toys/ objects, Knobby tubes, or ARK’s scented textured grabbers)

·        Use a Critter Vibe, Z- Vibe, Jigglers, or vibrating tooth to stimulate them

·        Use different flavors to wake up mouth (icebreaker candy, airhead sour candy, sour spray, or flavored salt )

·        Do oral motor exercises to massage their mouths

These methods have been very helpful when I have been working with my son that craves oral stimulation and my daughter that is defensive.  If you are not familiar with these methods, or have questions about the equipment mentioned, talk to your SLP or OT.