A Suggestion About Biting Self -- Self Injurious Behavior

[Guest guest]

When was about 12 years old, he started biting himself in the

hand, near his thumb area. He did it so much that the skin thickened

and he always had teeth marks there. I had a parent tell me her remedy

for her son. She used tubing (the kind used as an air hose in an

aquarium) and made him a necklace, complete with knots tied into it,

for her son to wear and use to chew on it whenever he was anxious. The

hose was soft and pliable enough to give him satisfaction. Her purpose

was to substitute " one thing " for " another " . I know of another parent

whose son always carried plastic drinking straws. Whenever he was

anxious, he would chew on them. She kept him a supply and he was happy

with that. The good news, outgrew the hand biting.