Gum Chewing

Gum, people. It is a solution (hopefully) to some sensory issues we have in our home. And I hope teachers can recognize the benefits gum-chewing may have in the classroom! Even a secondary school student might need some social coaching around appropriate gum-chewing, but if it helps a student focus and learn, why not?

I met with Sienna's lovely, fantastic, super, amazing, .... teacher this week to get a list of the things that are happening in the classroom and what she was doing to support Sienna's sensory needs. I know that she is doing EVERYTHING - I just didn't know WHAT. And I was hoping to take some of her ideas and use them at our home too. Whatever works in school is best shared with home and whatever works at home is best shared with the school. And while we're in the midst of being discharged from pre-school OT services and on a year and a half waitlist for public OT... I'm starting to freak out! There are a number of things the teacher and ECE and EAs are doing to support my child - albeit on the teacher's personal bill. She (personally) has provided Sienna with all the squishy balls and toys and toothpicks for eating lunch and weighted balls and bean bags and the list goes on. Thankfully, she has a stash! How did we get so lucky? What's challenging is finding what works. We can't just go out and buy a squishy ball and hope that Sienna likes it. Well... we can! But we would be trying out 5 or 10 before we actually found the right one.  My budget doesn't allow for 10 fidget toys a week. Anyhow, that's a whole other blog!

The teacher suggested gum chewing. In the last few weeks, we have noticed an increase in the sensory input she is seeking: chewing on marker lids, rubbing her mouth on my pants (and the teacher's... eeek!!), puffing her cheeks out, and the list goes on. I have sent in chewy food and crunchy food and straw-sucking drinks - all to support the teacher's efforts. But alas, we have moved on to gum. At first, I was concerned around the social issues of smacking your wide open mouth in a classroom. It would take Sienna a longer while to understand actually how to chew gum appropriately (sounds silly but true). The other challenge we face is how to explain to her how to just chew it and not swallow it. That will take patience and time and practice and one-on-one gum-chewing support from all parties involved...

Well, we're trying it - because we'll try anything - and don't worry... it's sugar free. ;)