Speaking about Pacifiers or sensory diet for Autism

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,There was good topic on pacifiers in the circle of mom's group and I thought that was a good idea for a topic.Just to share, My son loved his Pacifiers - binkies, as we called them.  Pacifiers are more of a sensory fulfillment to our kids on the spectrum.  I remember days when I'd see my son with one in each hand and one in his mouth!  But this was good for him because it satisfied his need for sensory input.  (oral sensory).  kids on the spectrum have many sensory needs and many of them need that oral sensory to help calm their nervous system.  Most any sensory stimulation helps to calm the child's nervous system, (this is why some implement a sensory diet, which is a schedule of different types of sensory integration therapies) and this is why a pacifier works to calm infants and young children it basically calms their nervous system.  My son didn't give up his beloved pacifiers until he was 3 1/2.  There's children that go well up into the age of 6 or older that have that need.  I'm fine with that because it provides a sensory fulfillment need for the child, but there are also other alternatives to the pacifier just consult an occupational therapist that knows of autism.  I remember at Barrie Galvin and Associates, they had many types of sensory provisions for kids on the spectrum and provided a good sensory diet for my son Davey.

About the pacifier and teeth,  My son used the pacifier until he was 3-1/2 and my son's primary teeth came in perfectly straight and his permanent teeth are coming in straight as well. He's 12, (and no cavities, ever) So if anyone would ask me my opinion on the pacifier, I would say " it's a good way to help calm a child, " but each family can make their own call on that and you can seek advice from a good Occupational or speech therapist who knows about sensory therapies for more ideas if the pacifier is something that you don't want for too long.

Yours Most Truly,n Helmickfounder: ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~Do you know about ?

  is a family/parent support and resource group in Northeast Ohio.Parents can join together and discuss issues regarding their children withautism. posts upcoming events, workshops and activities for

families in Northeast Ohio.   http://www..webs.com