Autism and Thumb-Sucking: Causes and Administration

We’ve all both heard of or seen infants and toddlers sucking their thumbs. It’s a typical conduct as a baby is rising up. Nonetheless, thumb-sucking conduct isn’t restricted to youthful youngsters. Many older youngsters with autism spectrum dysfunction could suck their thumb as properly.

This could be a frequent trait amongst autistic folks. Nonetheless, as dad and mom, it’s possible you’ll surprise what you are able to do to deal with thumb-sucking conduct as your baby ages.

In the event you’d wish to be taught extra about totally different conduct interventions, you possibly can obtain your free information right here:

What causes thumb sucking in autism?

Just like many different behaviors related to autism spectrum dysfunction, the precise reason for thumb-sucking is unclear. Nonetheless, varied elements comparable to self-soothing, sensory stimulation, and nervousness have been advised as attainable contributors to this conduct.

Self-soothing behaviors

Kids with autism usually wrestle with emotional regulation. Thumb sucking could present them with a way of safety and luxury and assist them self-soothe.

Sensory stimulation

It’s additionally not unusual for kids with autism to have sensory processing points. They might want sure sensory enter that thumb-sucking tends to deal with, permitting them to focus and stay calm.

Nervousness

Kids with autism spectrum dysfunction additionally cope with excessive ranges of nervousness or stress. Thumb sucking could also be used as a coping mechanism to assist them cope with anxious, annoying emotions.

Results of thumb-sucking

Whereas thumb-sucking conduct could present a way of calm for autistic folks, it might negatively impression them as properly. Thumb-sucking has been linked to dental issues, pores and skin irritation, and infections. Dental issues are the commonest points that develop from thumb-sucking conduct.

The fixed strain from thumb-sucking can result in tooth misalignment, affecting the particular person’s chunk and the way they chew. It will probably require braces, which could be a traumatic expertise for some children on the spectrum who could not perceive what is occurring throughout the process.

The misalignment may result in speech issues because the autistic baby grows up.

Extended thumb sucking may change the form of the palate. This may result in extra critical well being points like respiration difficulties and sleep apnea.

How can dad and mom handle thumb-sucking conduct?

Whereas thumb-sucking can negatively impression the one you love’s well being, there are strategies dad and mom and caregivers can use to assist handle these behaviors.

A few of these strategies embrace:

• Optimistic reinforcement – Dad and mom may give their baby a small reward for avoiding thumb-sucking behaviors. These rewards could encourage the kid to cease this conduct all on their very own.
• Distraction – Dad and mom can attempt to preserve the kid’s thoughts off their thumbs by offering them with another exercise that retains them occupied and redirects consideration.
• Sensory stimulation – Dad and mom can supply the kid one other merchandise to pursue any oral stimulation they could want as an alternative of their thumbs. My spouse and I purchased chewies for our son to assist him with oral stimulation. Whereas we had been making an attempt to maneuver him away from a pacifier fairly than thumb- or finger-sucking, the chewies can nonetheless work for all oral stimulation.

If these strategies don’t work, it could be time to hunt skilled assist.

Therapeutic approaches

Autistic folks might have therapeutic cures to assist them cease participating in thumb-sucking. Occupational and behavioral remedy proved to be efficient approaches to handle this conduct.

Occupational remedy

An occupational therapist will deal with the kid’s improvement, particularly relating to high quality motor expertise, and handle sensory points and the best way to regulate them. Having the ability to regulate the sensory system could assist cease thumb-sucking conduct.

Behavioral remedy

A behavioral therapist may also help dad and mom and caregivers establish the triggers inflicting the thumb-sucking. The therapist and oldsters will develop methods to exchange the conduct with extra acceptable coping mechanisms.

Alternate options to thumb sucking

Whereas thumb-sucking could also be onerous to cease, it’s not unimaginable. Dad and mom and caregivers may also help present different stimming behaviors to assist their autistic youngsters.

A few of these options embrace:

• Offering a consolation object like a toy or particular blanket that may assist the kid self-soothe however gained’t injury their tooth.
• Enjoying video games or with toys like foolish putty, kinetic sand, or popping bubble wrap, which requires utilizing arms.
• Utilizing gadgets which are particularly designed to stop thumb-sucking. This may be one thing so simple as a chewy or extra advanced gadget like a mouth guard.

Keep optimistic and protracted

Whereas managing thumb-sucking will be powerful, you must keep persistent. Lapsing in persistence can result in oral well being issues down the highway. These can embrace, however should not restricted to, respiration issues, braces, and sleep apnea.

Nonetheless, it’s essential to stay optimistic whereas encouraging your autistic youngsters. Working together with your youngsters will assist them acknowledge different self-stimulating behaviors, scale back stress, and stay calm. Working collectively, you and your baby can handle this conduct.

FAQs

Q: Is thumb-sucking an indication of autism?

A: Thumb-sucking is one among many repetitive behaviors that may be linked to autism. It’s usually used for emotional regulation and to assist soothe the kid. Nonetheless, thumb-sucking conduct doesn’t mechanically imply the kid is on the spectrum.

Q: Is thumb-sucking extra frequent in youngsters with autism?

A: Whereas thumb-sucking, generally, just isn’t extra frequent in youngsters with autism, if the kid is older and nonetheless engages on this conduct, then it’s a extra frequent behavior in that demographic.

Q: At what age ought to I be involved about my baby’s thumb-sucking?

A: Most usually growing youngsters cease thumb-sucking round age 4. If it continues into age 5, it could be of concern. It’s after this age that the conduct can begin affecting oral hygiene.

Assets

Al-Sehaibany FS. Prevalence of oral habits amongst preschool youngsters with Autism Spectrum Dysfunction. Pak J Med Sci. 2017 Sep-Oct;33(5):1156-1160. doi: 10.12669/pjms.335.13554. PMID: 29142556; PMCID: PMC5673725.

Stricker, J. M., Miltenberger, R. G., Anderson, C. F., Tulloch, H. E., & Deaver, C. M. (2002). A Useful Evaluation of Finger Sucking in Kids. Conduct Modification, 26(3), 424-443. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145445502026003008

Weaver D, Philp AC, Hanson Ok. The Results Of A Differential Reinforcement Of Different Conduct And A Light Response Blocking Intervention On Reducing Thumb Sucking Conduct In A Youngster With Autism Spectrum Dysfunction: A Case Research. J Med Case Rep Case Sequence https://acquaintpublications.com/article/the_effects_of_a_differential_reinforcement_of_other_behavior_and_a_faded_response_blocking_intervention_on_decreasing_thumb_sucking_behavior_in_a_child_with_autism_spectrum_disorder_a_case_study

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