There is one topic in the autism/sensory world that I am fairly certain that I am an expert. And that topic is chewing.
My son J is an oral sensory seeker and chews on literally e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g.
He always has.
He's destroyed plenty of toys, puzzles, pencils, and chewable tools over the years, as well as jackets and the zippers on jackets. He has even chipped his front tooth from chewing on coat zippers (you can kind of see it here where I show you how to make a DIY chewable zipper pull).
The need to chew is real. We see increases in chewing when J is particularly anxious or overwhelmed by something so it does come and go in waves, but we frequently have to remind him to "use an approved chewy." And trust me, we've got plenty of them!
Who hoards chewies? Say I.
This free printable chewing social story for kids is all about the need to chew and what to do when you feel the urge to chew. Because I know I'm not the only one with an aggressive chewer out there...
About the Free Printable Social Story
This social story is designed for the kid who chews on everything. It discusses the need to chew, why it's important to chew on approved chewing tools, and examples of what some of those tools might be.
A lot of products featured in this social story are from Chewigem (see my review and get a coupon code here) or from Canadian DIY Supply (see my review here), but this post is not sponsored in any way. A lovely reader reached out and asked me to write a social story on this particular topic. So thank you, Sabrena for the fabulous suggestion!
I highly suggest laminating the social story for durability. You can use binder rings to keep the social story together or store it in a binder. As an alternative to laminating, you could use sheet protectors in a binder. Or if you find yourself printing off lots of social stories, then this binding machine is a lifesaver!
Download the Free Printable Chewing Social Story
This printable is 11 pages long and includes full color photos. This story doesn't have as much diversity in the photos as my other stories for two reasons. One, it is impossible to find stock photos for this topic! Trust me, I tried! Two, I already had tons of photos of my own children with chew necklaces on hand so why not use them.
To get a copy of this social story, click the link below:
>> Click here to download the social story
