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Smacking Lips While Eating

Smacking Lips While Eating

No matter how many times we ask our son to stop smacking his lips he does it anyway. When we bring him up on it he says, "Sorry" and then after a few seconds continues to do it. Any parents with Autistic children have any tips to help him do this naturally?

Eating Lips Smacking

Just curious have you tried imitating him at the table to see if it bugs him? If it does maybe that is your in, though I know your son is oblivious to how he is eating as opposed to being enticed by what he is eating.

Smacking Lips While Eating Health & Special Psychology

Krakyn, we tried. As a matter of fact, we do it all the time. He just does not see it or forgets very quickly (within seconds). Felipe LOVES food so he gets very excited and thinks lunch and dinner is some sort of "race" hence he does not take his time to chew his food properly, sit properly, wipe his mouth, etc (table manners). He is 9 years old and if someone sees him eating they would think he has no manners whatsoever.

Eating Lips Smacking

I kinda had that feeling. My oldest was a slow one on this same issue due to the same reason food infatuation.

I know it is due to the Autistic issues that you fight so hard with this. Would taping it and playing it back to him help? I have doubts due to the lack of recall as soon as he sees food.

Could you present the food to him differently to help him slow down? Sorry I am thinking of puppies and how you put water in the dish so they can not just gulp the food down. Could smaller pieces and less on the plate at a time help at all?

Eating Lips Smacking

On top of Autism he battles with ADHD so doing anything with the process of take your time is like asking him to climb Mt. Everest. Maybe we are battling something that has little chance of changing. I say that because since birth there are just certain things that he refuses to grasp no matter how many times you tell him.

Smacking Lips While Eating

I don't think he refuses to grasp it as much as he is unable to do so. We're speaking about a child dealing with several neurological challenges. Following instructions, "not listening" are ALL part of the spectrum and the way the brain is wired. Hopefully, through repetition it will change sometime in the future.

Smacking Lips Eating

I hate to say it but I think you guys are right. I spoke so several friends with children who are challenged in these types of capacities and they said if he has not stopped by now it is unlikely he will. I now for myself that would be a challenge for dinner time.

Smacking Lips Eating Psychology Special & Health

Well, I will have to disagree with your friends. Felipe's case is quite unique and he has a tremendous capacity of learning, like anybody else he has stronger areas than others. How many autistic kids are fully verbal, read, write, do mathematics, are good at figuring out computers and even learn how to play the piano? If he can learn those things, I believe he CAN get (with time) to the point where table manners won't be an issue. He is unable to grasp it now but I believe with time, he will. No doubt in my mind about it. Besides his mom, I am also his teacher and I believe he is capable of doing it through constant and constant repetition and time.