DS2 pinching himself - any ideas for sensory integration exercises to help?

[sphil]

DS2 started pinching his bare skin some months ago - we ignored it at first, thinking it would go away like his other stims, but it has got steadily worse. He mainly pinches the skin on his knees - takes a handful of flesh and twists it - but he's just started pinching his hands and arms too - and these he brings up to bite. He's not doing it in anger or frustration - just whenever he sees his bare skin - and he doesn't leave any marks, even though it looks quite hard.

My main concern is that it's distracting him from other things he should be doing - and it looks very odd to other children. I guess I'm also worried it'll just get harder and harder until he IS hurting himself (he has a very high pain threshold).

We've tried giving him other things to squeeze instead, which works for a little while. I'd be grateful for any other ideas.

[jimjamshaslefttheyurt]

oh god ds1 does this all the time. And bites. He is covered in bruises. And me too now.

No idea how to stop it.

I think sensory things are really really hard to stop. Because as soon as they do it, it;s reinforcing.

[sphil]

He's not doing it hard enough to bruise atm, but I'd like to try to stop it before it gets to that point, if possible.

Any idea what the function of it might be Jimjams? Or has anyone else any experience?

[magso]

Ds bites himself ( usually his wrists) when he is stressed - I haven't found a way to stop it either. He also pulls at the skin on his wrists. I give him blutac to play with assuming it is a sensory need but it doesnt always succeed in redirecting him. Also at one point I tried stopping him chewing his collar and I think his wrist chewing got worse - so now I put up with replacing his school tops often!
I am hoping to attend a Help2 NAS seminar on managing sensory needs soon - but I dont know how useful it will be ( as so many children are sort of opposite Ds ie oversensative)! Will let you know if I hear anything potentially helpful.

[sphil]

Thanks Magso - should be seeing our OT soon, so will ask her too. I don't think he's doing it when stressed - unless he's hiding it well!

[jimjamshaslefttheyurt]

ds1 is very sensory seeking at the moment sphil. I think it's part of that. But hard to tell.