Sensory toys/tools - looking for ideas for something 'crunchy'

[KittyFantastico]

I know there is a SN topic but I'm posting here for traffic.

11yo DS is autistic and very sensory seeking. We've always had problems with him overeating if not properly supervised as he can't sense fullness but things have escalated recently and he has started stealing food from the kitchen. This evening I've found an entire (empty) multipack of crisps under his bed that was only bought yesterday, turns out he woke up in the night so went downstairs and got them.

After a good talk about it, including lots of reassurance, we've established that what he likes about the stolen food is that he can hide under his blanket with it and it's dark/warm/snuggly, he likes to chew, and he likes the crunch of crisps in particular. I want to channel this elsewhere without increasing his anxiety levels so have bought him a new silicone chew specifically for hiding under his duvet with and now I'm on the lookout for some sort of crunchy sensory toy that can be crumpled up, chewed, rubbed, etc.

Does anyone know of such a thing or can suggest something that I can make to fit the bill?

What about polystyrene chips? To crunch up?

We used the silver thermal blankets in baby sensory for this.

www.cucicucicoo.com/2014/02/how-to-make-crinkle-taggie-baby-toy/

This? But it's more crinkly rather than crunchy. I think crunchy texture will be tricky as it'd have to be brittle and therefore would break or snap.

www.etsy.com/market/crinkle_sensory_toy?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Search_UK_DSA_GGL_Categories_Toys-Games_New&utm_ag=Toys&utm_custom1=kenshoo_clickid&utm_content=go_10026060872_97800140141_434724639532_dsa-36007447766_m_&utm_custom2=10026060872&gclid=CjwKCAjwr7X4BRA4EiwAUXjbt8RmFwciQRg8CpF2V6UZ02Kz3t1UrhiTAKG_LlInEyNZhwMimRyZURoC8eAQAvD_BwE

Or someone could make something crunchy or crinkly to order?

Not toys, sorry - but my DS is similar in terms of sensory seeking - he happily crunches through rice cakes, apples & home made unflavoured popcorn - all of which are healthy enough to have lots of. Would these work at all? Good luck - not easy dealing with extra challenges posed by sensory needs :)

I don't think you could chew it, but DD had a dragon toy that had wings that sounded crinkly when you rubbed them - it sounded like plastic sheets inside the fabric, as the PP linked to. That would be OK for rubbing and crushing, but probably not chewing. The crinkle insert below has been tested

www.tactiletreasures.co.uk/shop/accessories/en71-certified-crinkle-material/

Could you make a couple that he could crush in each hand? Or a 'pack of crisps' with lots of small ones?

Hope you find something to suit.

Thank you, some excellent suggestions. I never thought of crinkle toys, I might have one lurking in toddler DDs toybox that I could try with him.

I often peruse the dog toy aisles of shops looking for sensory toys that our autistic son might like

Would ice chips/cubes or ice pops be any good? My 6yo has ASD and is similar with sensory seeking. He like crunchy stuff so he has a supply of ice pops and I got ice cube bags which make fairly small ice cubes for him to crunch. He would eat every crisp in the house if he could reach them!

Something like this?

Carrots!

Another who would suggest finding the pet stall in your local market - they have wonderful things, for a MUCH better price than the same toy sold as a 'sensory toy''.

The foil blankets that runners put on after a marathon are quite crinkly - you can cut them up into smaller squares. Not any use for chewing mind.