Re: [anyone with oral defenive kids?

[Guest guest]

my sons " team " figured out when he was almost 4 (i think) that he wasn't using

his tongue.  He's 10 now and still can't use his tongue properly.  He can't

blow a kiss, lick his lips, and it takes quite a few tries to get his tongue out

to lick an icecream cone. I felt like a total failure as a mother when they told

me at first, then came to realize that he'd been with this team since he was 4

months old (although, not speech!) and since we had enough on our plate as it

was, why didn't one of the " experts " notice it.  Oh well,,,,we've moved on! 

This all explained why we'd find meat stuffed in his cheeks hours after dinner

.. I would have to grind any meat we gave him, or find alternate sources of

protein for him.  He still prefers not to eat things like meat, but he is much

better than he was.

I used to use the spin brush before meals to " wake up " his mouth, I also bought

a elephant vibrating chewy thing that he was able to mouth when he needed it. 

One exercise that he loved was we would hold an iceream cone in front of his

lips and have him try to stick his tongue out to get it (we had to be careful,

he liked to cheat!!!) we would have him stick out his tongue in front, then one

side, then the other side.  We did this activity with all his preferred

treats.  it was slow going but worth it.

the other problem we are seeing is that it isn't only his tongue, it's his lips

too.  We tried to have a asthma test done, but the lady gave up after 1/2 hour,

because he couldn't form a seal over the tube.

He has lots of trouble closing his mouth to chew when eating, which yes, it's

annoying to hear, but we know he can't help it...poor guy .

so i guess the thing that has helped most to this point is the holding the

food/treat in front of him.  we just keep in mind that a good attempt is worth

a lick of icecream so he doesn't get too frustrated!

sandy