My son loves to spit, blow raspberries, or just blow into the air. He doesn’t do it for attention but because he likes the sensory feel in his mouth and watching the spit particles float in the air. One teacher tried letting him use a spray bottle of water, which was fine for his seeing the particles sparkle in the light, but it was messy and didn’t help with the mouth sensation. Blowing actual bubbles with soapy liquid and a wand are good but not the best all-the-time solution that he can do independently, and he’d rather spit/blow than keep his mouth still and earn bubble-blowing as a reward. Other than continuing to work on eliminating the behavior, do you know of any other alternatives to spitting/blowing he could try that might help? Not sure he’s interested in chew toys, but maybe if there’s one that you know of that could help with this specific issue, we could try it. Open to all suggestions!
Answer:
If this is truly sensory and he’s doing it because it feels good (not for attention, not to get out of something, not to get an item), then we need to find him a replacement that scratches that same sensory itch.
A few things I’d try:
* Bubble blowing is one of my favorites, but I’d make it a bathroom or outdoor activity only. Blow bubbles in the bathtub or over the sink where the mess doesn’t matter.
* A small spray bottle can be another option if he enjoys watching the mist. Again, I’d keep that as a designated activity in an appropriate location.
* Chewelry is worth trying. He may not love it, but some kids who seek oral sensory input end up really liking it once they get used to it.
* Blowing instruments like whistles, harmonicas, recorders, kazoos, or party blowers can also give that mouth input without spitting all over the room.
At the same time, I’d be really consistent.
Every single time I see him blowing raspberries or spitting, I’d calmly interrupt it and redirect him to the replacement.
No lectures.
No big emotional reaction.
Just, “We blow bubbles in the bathtub.” or “Here’s your whistle.”
The consistency is what breaks the habit.
One thing I’d also watch is whether it’s always sensory.
Does it happen when he’s bored?
When he’s excited?
When he’s waiting?
When demands are placed on him?
Sometimes what looks sensory actually has another function mixed in. I always tell parents to put on their detective hat before deciding on the plan because the strategy depends on the why behind the behavior.
If after a couple of weeks of consistently redirecting to an appropriate replacement it’s not improving, I’d step back and ask, “Did I get the function right?” because that’s usually where the answer is hiding.
Let me know your thoughts
If this is truly sensory and he’s doing it because it feels good (not for attention, not to get out of something, not to get an item), then we need to find him a replacement that scratches that same sensory itch.
A few things I’d try:
* Bubble blowing is one of my favorites, but I’d make it a bathroom or outdoor activity only. Blow bubbles in the bathtub or over the sink where the mess doesn’t matter.
* A small spray bottle can be another option if he enjoys watching the mist. Again, I’d keep that as a designated activity in an appropriate location.
* Chewelry is worth trying. He may not love it, but some kids who seek oral sensory input end up really liking it once they get used to it.
* Blowing instruments like whistles, harmonicas, recorders, kazoos, or party blowers can also give that mouth input without spitting all over the room.
At the same time, I’d be really consistent.
Every single time I see him blowing raspberries or spitting, I’d calmly interrupt it and redirect him to the replacement.
No lectures.
No big emotional reaction.
Just, “We blow bubbles in the bathtub.” or “Here’s your whistle.”
The consistency is what breaks the habit.
One thing I’d also watch is whether it’s always sensory.
Does it happen when he’s bored?
When he’s excited?
When he’s waiting?
When demands are placed on him?
Sometimes what looks sensory actually has another function mixed in. I always tell parents to put on their detective hat before deciding on the plan because the strategy depends on the why behind the behavior.
If after a couple of weeks of consistently redirecting to an appropriate replacement it’s not improving, I’d step back and ask, “Did I get the function right?” because that’s usually where the answer is hiding.
Let me know your thoughts