Biting, like hitting, is a way for some children to assert themselves when they're still too young to express feelings effectively through words. To your child, biting is a way to get back a favorite toy, tell you that they are unhappy, or let another child know that they want to be left alone.
When Should I Call the Doctor? Biting is common in babies and toddlers, but it should stop when kids are about 3 or 4 years old. If it goes beyond this age, is excessive, seems to be getting worse rather than better, and happens with other upsetting behaviors, talk to your child's doctor.
Biting or chewing hard objects is part of stimming behaviours in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Stimming is a self-regulatory mechanism for people with ASD to cope with anxiety.
It's a way young children express anger, frustration and a need for control and attention before they have the words to do so, says clinical psychologist Stanley Goldstein, PhD, author of the book, “Troubled Children/Troubled Parents” (Atheneum, 1979).
Biting is a typical behavior often seen in infants, toddlers, and 2-year olds. As children mature, gain self-control, and develop problem-solving skills, they usually outgrow this behavior. While not uncommon, biting can be an upsetting and potentially harmful behavior.
Common psychiatric conditions linked to nail biting in children are attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and separation anxiety disorder.
Anxiety: Nail biting can be a sign of anxiety or stress.
Try to Stay Calm When Responding to Aggression
If he's behaving aggressively toward you, give him some space. Understand that trying to restrain an already agitated child can quickly escalate the situation further. If you can safely allow him to calm down by giving him space, that's the best option.
Chewing and biting are sensory activities. They tap into the proprioceptive system that registers pressure in the joints. The resulting information goes to the brain for processing, which has a regulating effect on the nervous system. In other words, the child bites because he finds it soothing.
Many children start aggressive biting between one and three years of age. Biting can be a way for a child to test his or her power or to get attention. Some children bite because they are unhappy, anxious or jealous. Sometimes biting may result from excessive or harsh discipline or exposure to physical violence.
Dermatophagia is a psychological condition in which a person compulsively bites, chews, gnaws, or eats their skin. It often affects the skin around people's fingers. Dermatophagia is an emerging concept in mental health research.
Hormones play a significant role in the development of autism, and they can also impact the way children with autism experience puberty. Research has shown that hormones such as testosterone may influence the development of autism, as well as impact behaviors associated with autism such as aggression and social skills.
They're frustrated.
Biting, like hitting, is a way for some children to assert themselves when they're still too young to express feelings effectively through words. To your child, biting is a way to get back a favorite toy, tell you that they are unhappy, or let another child know that they want to be left alone.
Biting often occurs when a child is under emotional stress they can't handle. They may be very upset or angry and the biting is a way to show their distress and pain. Young children don't know what they are feeling - they just act! Try to find out what is causing the stress.
Chewing is a sensory need
Kids who chew on everything do it because they need oral motor sensory input. They crave the deep pressure that chewing provides to their gums. They basically use chewing as a way to cope and self-regulate. It can help them stay focused too!
Oral stimming is a series of repetitive chewing behaviors . It's an automatic and uncontrollable reaction for many that experience it. Stimming is described as calming and comfortable as it creates a feedback loop to regulate emotion. It allows for one focal point, easing overwhelming input.
Praise Incompatible Behaviors
Here are some behaviors that are not compatible with biting: Having a snack. Blowing bubbles. Chewing gum (if your child is able to chew gum safely)
Sensory seeking in ADHD
Preprint research, meaning it has not been peer-reviewed or published, suggests sensory deficits in ADHD may come from being easily distracted by irrelevant stimuli while also experiencing impairment toward relevant sensory details.
A lot of anger in children is usually a sign that they are frustrated or in distress. It's important to identify the source. There can be many underlying causes, including autism, ADHD, anxiety, or learning disorders.
Children in this age group might: Show more concern about body image, looks, and clothes. Focus on themselves; going back and forth between high expectations and lack of confidence. Experience more moodiness.
The preteen years can be challenging for girls because the hormones estrogen and progesterone responsible for puberty in girls can cause them to experience mood swings and seem to have an "attitude," which is normal during this stage.
A common (but rarely discussed) comorbid diagnosis related to ADHD is body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRB), with symptoms ranging from nail biting to hair pulling to cheek biting that children and adults can't control.
When you feel like biting your nails, try playing with a stress ball or silly putty instead. This will help keep your hands busy and away from your mouth. Identify your triggers. These could be physical triggers, such as the presence of hangnails, or other triggers, such as boredom, stress, or anxiety.