Biting nails means oral dyspraxia??

8 replies

Swiddle · 16/05/2011 12:36

Is it such a problem that my aspie ds is a nail biter?
Does that mean oral dyspraxia, as has been suggested?
Or just that he's managing his anxiety with a good old chew of the nails?
I can see how his nose picking is kinda off-putting(!), but surely nail biting is in a lesser category of yucky behaviours?
I think he has enough to contend with, so I'm happy to go on and let him chew...

OP posts:

brandy77 · 16/05/2011 13:35

havent got a clue about oral dyspraxia, but my son is ASD and since I took the dummy away during the day he has bitten his nails off! ive been tempted to give the dummy back but no way would he ever wear a fixed brace so bitten nails is the best option

Triggles · 16/05/2011 13:56

I wouldn't think biting nails instantly equals oral dyspraxia. I could see where it combined with a bunch of other things might point to oral dyspraxia, but can't see that it's ironclad, if that's what you mean. Some kids pick their noses, some bite their nails... (some adults do )... doesn't automatically mean they have oral dyspraxia.

That being said, DS2 does both to varying degrees.yuck. The nail biting is getting to be a bit less now - wish it'd been the nose picking that went away first.

bdaonion · 16/05/2011 14:36

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This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

blueShark · 16/05/2011 14:56

think its definitely related to anxiety and stress rather than dyspraxia. DS used to do it when in MS nursery and stopped once started Reception in a unit placement. DH also does it at times he is stressed out and funny enough when he was a child the paed said vitamin deficiency

MedusaIsHavingABadHairDay · 16/05/2011 15:55

DS2 (asd) bites his to the quick..... and he is dyspraxic but not orally so.
. However I also bite mine badly .. more when stressed... just a habit..

starfishmummy · 16/05/2011 15:57

I obviously have oral dyspraxia then!

(Nail biter)

smileANDwave2000 · 16/05/2011 17:29

apparently it can be to oral dyspraxia / or chewing yr cheek strange one though and certainly not a tell tail sign or as starfishmummy says half the population would be classed so

AlfalfaMum · 16/05/2011 18:32

dd2 chews the furniture and is also a devoted nose-picker. I think it's a part of the whole sensory thing. I keep meaning to get her some of those rubber chewy tubes..
My brother (asd suspect) used to chew his clothes.

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