To worry why my 3.5 year old is doing this?

[SpongeCake23]

My 3.5 year old is constantly putting things into his mouth. Playdough, sand, paper, the list goes on.

His nursery teacher brought it up to me this morning at drop off and said she thinks it could be a sensory issue.

I’m just wondering if anyone else has a child who is the same? And if they grew out of it.

He’s recently got funny about eating certain foods too, he’s always been a fussy/picky eater but he is becoming much worse. He’ll run food items on his mouth before actually putting it in.

Which seems strange to me as he’s so happy to eat playdough and sand etc without hesitation!

We have recently taken his dummy off him during the day and he only has it at night time now. So that could be part of the issue maybe?

I remember chewing on things as a child and eating paper, tissue etc. I still chew on my clothes when I’m anxious. I suspect I’m possibly ADHD, maybe ASD, but no diagnosis for me yet. I don’t think I’m ‘severe’ enough. I’m definitely neurodivergent though, so maybe he is too?

Should I be concerned the teacher spoke to me about it? I am assuming they have concerns. He’s only been there three weeks so far. She’s also commented on how he’s very ‘physical’ with the other children too. But he’s quite advanced in terms of his learning.

@HummingQuietly

His speech is great. He was talking quite quickly too. So no concerns there.
His understanding is very good too.

I think we probably should have taken the dummy off him sooner. To be fair the last year he’s only had it when in the house and lazing around.
We never let him have it outside and he certainly didn’t have it when around other children. Even in the house when he had it, I asked him to take it out to speak.
Now he only has it at bedtime and he knows that, although he’s mega attached to them. Eventually we will wean him off at night time too.

Mine was putting everything in his mouth up until about 4, in fact might have been a little older.

He was also terrified of hand driers. He hand flapped and walked on tip toes (still does sometimes)

Nothing came of it, he hasn't been diagnosed with anything nor has anyone ever suggested he should be.

He also talked very early.

If nursery are concerned that his development isn't quite in line with other chidlren then that's probably a cue to take him down to the GP.

Could be some sensory issue/ ASD (not all children with autism are delayed with language). 3.5 is a good age to start looking into it and maybe see if you can get an assessment. It would be good to know before he starts school so that support can be put in place if he needs it.

just to clarify I wasn't criticizing the dummy is a problem. I'm wondering if it and the pica both point to a sensory need round his mouth. But maybe not.

It's a very good sign that his understanding is good.

This is the kind of question that you might get a "come back in 3 months" response from a HCP to start with. Personally I see that as a reason to ask sooner rather than later. If it resolves, no harm done, but you're a few months further forward if it does turn out to be anything.

@cookiemonster2468 Do you think they meant his development was behind when it was mentioned to me?

He was at a nursery before this one (this is a school one, the previous one was a private nursery) and it was never mentioned then.

I actually thought he was ahead developmentally! It’s so confusing.

Is he anaemic?

Hi ☺️ how’s your son now ? X