Rachna Sahney Pargi’s Guide to Reducing Chewing Behavior in Children
Chewing behavior is common among young children and particularly noticeable in children with sensory needs or autism. While some level of chewing is normal as part of development, persistent chewing can indicate that a child is trying to cope with stress, anxiety, or sensory overload. Proper management of chewing behavior reduces the child’s options for more satisfactory comfort measures of self-soothing and fewer potential social problems. This blog takes you through the understanding of chewing behavior, as presented by Rachna Sahney Pargi, and her insight into preventing or decreasing such behavior in children.
Understanding Chewing Behavior
Chewing on non-food items, such as clothes, pencils, or toys, has been described as oral sensory-seeking behavior. According to experts, including Rachna Sahney Pargi, this behavior may serve numerous functions for children, including self-soothing; many children chew to soothe and comfort themselves when overwhelmed.
Some children may chew to satisfy oral sensory input needs, rather like how some children may require certain textures or sounds.
Some children find chewing helpful in improving their ability to concentrate and focus on tasks, particularly those that require a long stretch.
Only by understanding what is driving chewing can the behavior be appropriately addressed.
Why Children Chew
The takeaway from Rachna Sahney Pargi is that understanding why a child is chewing is most important. It’s usually dismissed as a bad habit, but in most cases, there is another sensory or emotional trigger hiding behind the behavior. Here’s why:
Sensory Processing Issues: Many children with autism or sensory processing disorder have increased oral sensory needs. Chewing is a form of sensory feedback to help regulate the body.
Anxious or Stressed Child: Chewing could be a coping mechanism in an anxious or stressed child. The rhythmic motion of chewing could be soothing and help ground him or her.
Developmental Exploration: Children, when teething, or during developmental changes, naturally explore their environment with the mouth.
Management tips for chewing behavior
According to Rachna Sahney Pargi, many simple, practical techniques can minimize and control chewing in children. The method is more holistic by trying to address the root cause of the behavior and then teaching children other ways to satisfy their sensory needs.
- Identify Triggers
The first step in controlling chewing is usually a determination of what it is in your child that they seem to be triggered by. Does this bad chomping get worse for your child if he or she is anxious, bored, or just plain overwhelmed? Keep a journal of these times and places where it happens, and patterns might emerge: perhaps during school activities or in a busy environment.
Once you understand what is stressing your child, you can start working on reducing exposure to these stressors or finding a means for him or her to better cope in these situations.
- Provide Safe Alternatives
Rachna Sahney Pargi suggests giving the child some safe, appropriate things to chew on. Chewelry includes those necklaces and bracelets manufactured keeping in mind the chewing function. They are made from food-grade silicone, and therefore won’t damage the child’s teeth or clothes.
Also, crunchy snacks like carrots or apples may be helpful as a more effective way of fulfilling the need for oral sensory input.
- Use Sensory Tools
Handling the Pica or the behavior of chewing can be managed sometimes using sensory tools. According to Rachna Sahney Pargi, fidget toys, a stress ball, or some textured fabric are appropriate when someone needs tactile stimulation if their chewing is stimulative. The number of sensory inputs may be used to the advantage of reducing oral stimulation by chewing.
It’s also helpful to include activities that give strong oral input, such as blowing bubbles, drinking from a straw, or practicing deep breaths. This can potentially allow the needs of the child to be met through sensory input and redirect the behavior.
- Facilitate Communication
Sometimes, children chew because they can’t find other ways to express themselves. Try to help your child develop some communication skills. If your child can say that she is frustrated or anxious, she may chew less. Rachna Sahney Pargi recommends teaching kids basic ways to express whether they are overwhelmed with picture cards, for example, or simple words, like “I need a break.”
When a child’s concerns are heard and understood, they tend to reduce self-soothing behaviors, like chewing.
- Calm Setting
Creating a calm environment is another good way in which one can help manage chewing behavior. Overstimulation will make a child’s anxiety levels escalate with sensory seeking. Rachna Sahney Pargi advises soft lighting, calming music, and a quiet space where your child can go when they need to decompress.
In addition to these, deep-pressure input can be provided through weighted blankets or vests, which can be pretty comforting for children with sensory needs.
When to Seek Professional Help
But, while most of the children will outgrow the chewing habit on their own, some need extra help. If your child’s chewing hurts him – as when it has bitten through his clothes or his gums – and interferes with his daily activities, then it’s time to see a professional.
Occupational therapists who specialize in the subject of sensory integration, such as Rachna Sahney Pargi, may aid in assessing your child’s sensory profile and devise an individualized plan for that child to get over the behavior. Techniques that regulate the child’s sensory needs include sensory brushing, oral motor exercises, or a sensory diet.
Final Words from Rachna Sahney Pargi
Controlling chewing behavior is quite a task, but with patience and the right strategies, it is possible to reduce the behavior and find healthier self-soothing means for your child. This is a reminder to parents by Rachna Sahney Pargi to approach this issue with empathy and understanding. Children chew on many things in an attempt to try and understand the world around them, and by being prepared and supporting such needs for many children, you can guide the body to apply those needs in a much healthier way.
Remember that every child is unique, and what works for one child may not work for another. There may even be some trial and error in coming up with the strategies that work best for your child, but that effort will be worth it when you see your child happier and more comfortable in his or her environment.
Conclusion
Those strategies would make the whole difference when put into everyday practice regarding managing chewing behavior. A parent will know how to deal with that problem in their child if they understand what causes chewing behavior and how to create some alternative ways of satisfying his sensory needs. You have an opportunity to take some proactive steps at reducing chewing behavior if you consult specialists such as Rachna Sahney Pargi.
