tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441989712918579133.post6509733317970814935..comments2024-01-26T03:49:33.080-05:00Comments on Rarer in Girls...My Daughter with Autism: Arm BitingSuzannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08240262747073351481noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441989712918579133.post-90096481513728896082016-11-25T11:50:22.848-05:002016-11-25T11:50:22.848-05:00Oh also, you're probably spot on with why your...Oh also, you're probably spot on with why your attempts haven't worked. I have also tried chewy necklaces, bracelets, toys. They are fun to chew sometimes but when I am biting out of frustration/agitation etc, they are useless because they don't give me the "pain" on my arm! And they're still not as good as my arm, ever. A counselor once suggested I use an elastic band but that was useless.<br /><br />The only thing that's helped me indirectly is an inflatable deep pressure vest, one of those Squeez ones. Sounds random and again, I'm sure you've heard/tried it all by this point! But it helped reduce my biting, personally, so maybe someone else reading could benefit. They describe it as like getting a "hug" but I think I also kind of experience it as I'm getting a firm body "bite" or something!Kirstyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01286421257209249003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441989712918579133.post-7836110542890142672016-11-25T11:35:35.625-05:002016-11-25T11:35:35.625-05:00I know I'm late here, but as a young autistic ...I know I'm late here, but as a young autistic woman, I can tell you why I bite my arms sometimes. I agree with a lot of the ones you posted, and I doubt I can say anything you haven't heard, plus I have a lower level of impairment compared to Janey, but you never know! Sometimes it's just self stimulation like emvelez said, because to be honest, biting feels good to me! I like the feeling of biting the flesh on my arm, and the "pain" of the bite doesn't feel like typical pain to me. It feels GOOD and it feels like a RELEASE. When I'm agitated, I feel like I absolutely HAVE to RELEASE some kind of anger or energy in the form of moving or screaming or biting etc. Sometimes when I want to scream, I can get a similar kind of release by biting down on my arm really hard. I think I've read that Janey may not have huge problems with sensory stuff, or maybe I've gotten that completely wrong, if so - sorry! I have sensory problems, and when I am in a very stimulating, *painful* environment, sometimes I will bite my arms because the "pain" of the bite makes the pain in the room less intense, a bit like if you have a papercut and then intentionally break your wrist... the wrist pain will probably drown out the papercut pain. Again in a stimulating environment, biting my arm 1-3 times or so sometimes has the effect of "snapping me back" into reality, a bit like a pinch or being under cold water would. But, like most other stims, if I repeatedly do it, I will end up being more zoned out/in my own world. It feels good to stim and get into that zone, because everything around me suddenly seems to fade out a bit and I feel calmer. So, basically... that thing you're doing, guessing all these different reasons? I bet that lots of them could be correct, at different times! Personally, I have never done it as a form of communication, but, I also have the ability to communicate quite effectively. Maybe if I were non-verbal like Janey, I'd also use it for that purpose. Another thing, is that sometimes when I'm agitated, I will *automatically* bite my arm without thinking about it or intending to, meaning, it's kind of like a compulsion or some kind of reflex in response to my emotions.Kirstyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01286421257209249003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441989712918579133.post-29594524814181656522016-10-26T12:12:12.318-04:002016-10-26T12:12:12.318-04:00Btw, he lives at Crystal Springs in assonet, MA wh...Btw, he lives at Crystal Springs in assonet, MA which does amazing things with the kids and adults in their programs.emvelezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01296720053622609950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5441989712918579133.post-61416444600221826032016-10-26T12:09:29.241-04:002016-10-26T12:09:29.241-04:00It's self stimulation. I had a young autistic ...It's self stimulation. I had a young autistic client who has to wear a helmet because of hitting his head, rubbing the back of his neck raw. He also has a plastic chew thing in his mouth all the time.emvelezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01296720053622609950noreply@blogger.com