I was driving the other day and as I said in a previous blog, I drive a lot because I take Elizabeth to and from her college program 4 days a week.  She is my daughter who has special needs.  Her special needs are global dyspraxia and sensory processing disorder (SPD).

So I am driving her and I reach into my purse to pull out my favorite gum.  I used to buy it in pack form until I found the holy grail of it called the pouch form!  No more pushing out pieces or working with little trays of it, nope just reach in grab a handful and enjoy.  So as I am in the process of shoving about 10 pieces into my mouth, Elizabeth starts laughing at me and asks “You really like that gum huh Mom?”  I told her I loved it and I do.  I actually look forward to reaching into that pouch a lot.  And this got me thinking.

I never thought of myself as a “chewer” in the purest sense of the word.  I do not chew on shirts, pens or other objects but I love, no make that love AND need my gum.   I took a moment to think about it and realized that I might qualify!!  I chew this gum when Michael’s basketball game was exciting, I chew this gum when I am typing this blog,  I chew it instead of dessert.

Then I started thinking more and realized I found the thing that works for me and what works for me may not be the thing that works for others and vice versa.  So it is all about finding the fit for you.

Now my Michael is our chewer.

And it is official.

He chews his shirt, pillow corners, water bottle lids, pens and the list goes on.  But the thing he does not really like to chew is gum.

See we are all so different!

So one thing I have gotten acquainted  with since Michael chewed his first shirt, was these wonderful chewy items made for chewing.  One of the ones Michael loves are these chewy’s made to look like dog tags.  They are made by a company called CHEWIGEM.  These dog tags are easy to chew, according to Michael.  He explained that the ones he likes the most are not super hard to chew but have a softer texture.  He tried to chew one other one by the company and it was too firm for him.

I think the fact that the company makes them in varying degrees of firmness makes it easy to find the one that your child will like the best.

If you go to our site and type in the word “Chewigem” and you will see so many choices pop up. There are so many shapes, sizes and textures to pick from as well as the firmness I was talking about.

One thing to think about as well is that these items can be used as a fidget too and I know this because I was sitting watching a video with Michael and playing with the heart shaped one.  So maybe a little tool to put in the sensory bin?

Well, whatever the reason you think they may be a fit for your child, please take a peek.

I know we all need what works for us!

I wish everyone a peaceful week.

Michele Gianetti author of ” I Believe In You: A Mother and Daughter’s Special Journey” and “Emily’s Sister“

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