LICKING

[tjw]

hi

my ds george has always licked things, he even started licking lamppost at one point when we were walking to school, solved that one by taking the car, but he licked the car window, he seems to like licking me most of all my face my hands arms,is this to do with sensory issues and do others have kids who do this, its not realy a problem but was just wondering why he likes to lick, he is a very tactile little boy, even the lady who came out for 1st assesment commented on this.

thanks theresa x

[Tjololo]

My ds is also a very oral child; he likes to lick windows, metal and other cold, hard things (door-frames, etc). He is very sensory seeking in other ways too in that he likes to touch and mouth things. I don't think it's uncommon for kids on the spectrum to have these behaviours; my ds is at the lower functioning end of the spectrum. So long as my ds is not licking dirty or dangerous objects, then I let him get on with it - it's good for his resistance and he is the healthiest child I know!

[peaches]

Im quite glad to hear that someone else has this sort of behaviour. I knew with Raph it was something to do with the spectrum, but I didnt know what. I suspect its some sort of sensation seeking, but also a way of exploring things; additionally he obviously doesnt know its not socially acceptable to go about licking things.

 

Raph licks the car window, thats not so unusual I know. He has tried to lick other things in public places, usually quite random and Ive had to remind him. The worst one was when a friend of my husbands came round. It was the first time Raph had met him and he kept licking him, despite being told not to! Raph also likes to put all sorts of objects, often toys, into his mouth, or explore them with his mouth. His game boy as edges which have obviously been sucked or gnawed, and countless other things end up soggy or chewed. I was going to say he was the only one in the family who does it, but thats not strictly true. His NT uncle chews the neckline of his t shirts.

 

I would also agree with tjw and state that Raph is quite tactile too.

 

So if anyone knows the theory behind the licking please tell us.

[sesley]

i had that when he was 4,but he did grow out of it.

[farfalla]

Hi just wanted to say my son chews things.

 

when he was young it was his tops..... corners of t shirt,

parts of his coat, they would get so wet i use to take 2 or 3 with us in case we went out

to change him.

 

I can say he has grown out of the sucking thing, but that was the start

he likes to chew things.............. he chews everything..........!

 

When I have asked him about this he tells me he likes the feeling in his mouth.

 

so at the moment, its plastic coat hangers!

i find them broken on the floor and find bits in his bed.

 

I have spoken to him about the dangers too, MY fear of him choking

more than anything........ but he looks at me all grown up and says *mum i ain't silly*!

 

He is nearly 13 and I cannot see him losing this trait soon.........

sorry i cant be more helpful

[JsMum]

 

 

There is some post on the forum that discussed pica so do look into this, though I know he isnt eating anything, the one thing that was interesting was sometimes the Eating/licking was a result of anemia, so do look into this.

 

PICA is associated with children with Autism.

 

JsMum

 

[peaches]

There is some post on the forum that discussed pica so do look into this, though I know he isnt eating anything, the one thing that was interesting was sometimes the Eating/licking was a result of anemia, so do look into this.

 

PICA is associated with children with Autism.

 

JsMum

 

I had pica when I was pregnant and craved playdoh. I did actually taste it and was disappointed to find it was salty. There was a theory that the cravings in pregnancy were to address a deficiency too! Interesting isnt it?

 

[dooday24]

reece licks everything lol

and mostly me am always being slobbered on ive just got used to it lol

 

love donnaxxxxx

[JsMum]

 

 

Pica is not widely known, it is a eating disorder, and related to autism, I researched a bit and sensory prossessing disorder was flagged, as was OCD, but the licking lamp post made me think about pica, also I understand fully he isnt eating non eating foods, but the bit you said about licking your face and hands, naturally humans carry a lot of salt on our bodies, thats why dogs lick us constantly, so thats why I came up with pica, it could be senory, too.

 

I would share this with your son specialist.

 

JsMum

 

[sueeltringham]

My DS licks and 'mouths' lots of objects. I've got to watch him like a hawk because if he likes objects in a shop he will often pick it up and start to mouth it first, even though he knows he shouldn't. He also chews other objects -anything that looks chewable like a jumper sleeve or dolls leg!!! We know this is related to his sensory issues as he seems to seek stimulation in the mouth area. He loves the hottest chilli sauce and can't get enough of it. We're currently trying to think of ways to divert his desire to 'chew'. An OT recently suggested chewing gum, but I don't think this will be accepted by school. If he is allowed to chew, he is really calm and is able to concentrate more. It might be useful to work out why your son like licking things and watch his behaviour before and after to see if it gives clues towards sensory?

 

Sue

[joybed]

Marcus licked railings when he was little and bus windows but grew out of this. he hasn,t grown out of chewing though and actually eats his clothes. So far in 2 weeks he has chewed holes in 6 t-shirts and eaten the complete cuff of one school jumper and is almost through a second. He also chews hand controllers to the Wii and his playstation and more worryingly has been known to bite through electric cables (he hasn,t done this one for a while though touch wood). He eats pencils like they are chocolate and one of the children in his class bought him a rubber thing to put on his pencil so he could chew that instead but he ate it. It is a very expensive problem for us.

[tjw]

hi all

and thanks for the replys, jsmum i have never heard of pica but will be looking into this as george has a eating problem as well, he will not eat anything wet or try new foods we only stick to the foods he knows, gets realy stressed if i try him with anything new, he also chews his clothes mainly his socks they are always wet when i pick up after him, and his chews his wii remote as well the numchuk is his fav, toys also, i am glad i posted this subject it has given me some peace to know that it is quite a common part of behavior for our kids.

once again thankyou to all

theresa xx

[oxgirl]

I used to eat paper when I was a child, I have no idea why! Also, I used to go around the playground picking up tiny stones and eating them, again, haven't a clue why, I think I just liked the feel of them in my mouth. My lad thinks this is very funny. I have a copy of 'The Boy Next Door' by Enid Blyton, which I got for my tenth birthday. Jay has it now and I read it to him a few weeks ago. Every other page has a big bit of corner missing. After reading a page, I'd put it up to my mouth and go, 'mmmmmmmmm, yum, yum' and make lip-smacking noises, Jay thought this was hilarious!

 

~ Mel ~

[connieruff]

I did this when I was very young (I used to lick the brick dust from walls) (I know weird! ) and it turned out I had a mineral deficiency and aniemia (sorry cant spell it) also when I was preganant I did it again, or I felt like doing it, I was just lacking something in my diet, although a doctor would probably say I was talking rubbish. My son (Aspergers) occasionally licks my arm, maybe its the the salt?

 

[bikemad]

Ive recently noticed my lad doing this...he eats the rubbers off pencils!!!!!! And he sucks his skin a lot...looks like he has love bites all over his arm!!!!!!

 

Edited cos cant spell!!!!!

Edited November 9, 2008 by bikemad

[Diane]

Hi

 

My DS used to do this when he was younger, especially to people more than anything else. I am pleased to say he no longer does this, but he does do plenty of other things.

[MelowMeldrew]

Mine too ! has licked the back of his hands for about a year now, we tried hand creams that smelt nice, but tasted awful (!) in an attempt to deter, didn't work. We just hope he grows out of it... Water, things wet, he seems to home in to them... I discussed earlier his HUGE water obsession that was slowly crippling me via the water bill, as he has to turn taps on 20 times a day... again nothing deters.... so we follow him around all day to turn the taps off behind him.. ! we tried every distraction suggestion under the sun, no go.... ! we tried ignoring it, still no go ! however he doesn't do this we are told outside the home, what are we doing wrong ?

[Diane]

Mine too ! has licked the back of his hands for about a year now, we tried hand creams that smelt nice, but tasted awful (!) in an attempt to deter, didn't work. We just hope he grows out of it... Water, things wet, he seems to home in to them... I discussed earlier his HUGE water obsession that was slowly crippling me via the water bill, as he has to turn taps on 20 times a day... again nothing deters.... so we follow him around all day to turn the taps off behind him.. ! we tried every distraction suggestion under the sun, no go.... ! we tried ignoring it, still no go ! however he doesn't do this we are told outside the home, what are we doing wrong ?

 

Hi

do not think you are doing anything wrong. With my own DS it was an obsession that gave way to a different obsession. I have read that some children change their obsessions and others do not. Not very helpful for you I know.