Shirt-Biting Behavioral Problems in Autistic Children

Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder that occurs in childhood. People with autism show impaired ability to interact socially and the condition affects their thoughts, behaviors, speech and sensory development. Autistic people may display behaviors such a shirt biting.

Significance

Many people with autism experience sensitivity to sensory stimulation. This means that certain types of lights, sounds or touch may be very upsetting to an autistic person and may actually cause physical pain and discomfort.

Effects

Some autistic people may respond to sensory sensitivities using self-stimulating behaviors, such as shirt biting. These behaviors are a reaction to stress and can be a way to communicate discomfort as well as an attempt to self-soothe. Sometimes they can be more extreme, such as biting themselves.

Considerations

If shirt biting is a problem, you might give an autistic person a more acceptable alternative, for instance toothbrushes or chew rings. These alternatives usually work better than forbidding the behavior.

References

• Child Development Institute: Learning Disabilities
• Child Development Institute: Autism Fact Sheet
• Autism Help: Autism Spectrum Disorder: Fact Sheet-Interview with Lorna Jean King on Sensory Integration Therapy and Autism

Resources

• Developmental Disabilities Resource Center