Q&A: Replacing Noise Making in the Classroom?

Question:

What strategies have you known to be useful in replacing noisemaking with the mouth in a classroom environment?

Answer:

Each kid is different, but here are some things worth trying:

• Allow him to have gum or mints in his mouths, if appropriate.
• Try letting them use headphones or earplugs. He might be making his own noises in an attempt to drown out the noises from his environment.
• Use blow toys like the ones shaped like little pipes that have a string that blows up and out of them or a little ball that hovers over its basket.
• Check out the oral-motor toys at www.pfot.com or www.abilitations.com.
• Try deep breathing techniques.
• Analyze the behavior: Can you see any patterns to his noisemaking? When does he make noises the most: when frustrated/overstimulated, at certain settings, or specific times of the day? If you see a pattern, try modifying the environment as much as possible.

Please let me know if you find something that works well for this child!

Best Wishes,
Gwen