Chapstick and the Sensory Child
Find a Conversation
Chapstick and the Sensory Child
| Mon, 02-05-2007 - 7:51am |
i just keep thinking of questions as they come up....jack has some serious issues with chapstick. his lips have been seriously chapped (as they often get in the winter w/colds)and the only time i can get some on him is when he is asleep. i have tried incentives, rational explanations, etc. and he still has meltdowns at the sight of chapstick. i am trying to be respectful and undertstanding and the truth is that even if i held him down to get it on him, i can't control him if he wipes it off 2 seconds later.
i'm just afraid that he is going to get some serious cracks and then be in real pain....does anyone have a trick and/or a more sensory friendly brand?????
anne
i'm just afraid that he is going to get some serious cracks and then be in real pain....does anyone have a trick and/or a more sensory friendly brand?????
anne

Have you tried the "Cars" (or some other character) lip balm? I'm not sure it's Chapstick brand, but I have a nephew who (although not on the spectrum) would not let his mom put anything on his lips...until she found this stuff. I think he's got both a Lightening McQueen and a Tow Mater.
Also, the hard waxiness (is that even a word?) of original Chapstick always bothered my aspie son and my autie daughter. So they use a lip protectant that's of a smoother, softer consistency. It's Blistex Silk & Shine.
Good Luck~
Amy
No great ideas 'cus I know I can't keep my own 3.5yo from picking the skin off her lips no matter how many times it bleeds. Sometimes she'll use a lip balm if it's one she chose, but it's not very frequent. I think it's Smuckers that makes a jell-o flavored version that's pretty smooth to put on, but I don't know how well it stays on. I found it in the make-up section of Target. You could also see if any chapstick tubes have characters your ds is interested in (Winnie the Pooh or Cars movie characters, for instance).
However, I can tell you I just use lotion for my own chapped lips. I used to use chapstick, Blistex and other brands of lip balm so much that my lips now react badly whenever I use anything on them. The lotion moisturizes my lips, is quickly absorbed, and it doesn't feel heavy on them like chapstick does. I can also rub around the outer part of my lips, onto my skin, if it's feeling too dry. I use unscented lotion, so it doesn't irritate. I don't know if something like that would work for your ds.
Kyle gets seriously chapped lips that crack and bleed. He thinks chap stick is the spawn of the devil. My only trick is put some on me really thick and then give him a kiss on the lips, lol.
Samantha
anne
Hi Anne,
We just got back from a weekend trip. I am soooo tired!
Anyway, I saw your post on the other discussion so I am just going to reply to both here.
First of all with the chapstick thing, I too have been through this!
Riley used to have an oral sensory thing where she would stick tounge out and lick her bottom lip a lot and it would get VERY RED and chapped. I put Aquafore on it while she slept and it took care of it. Remember I said you would be going through a lot of different stages. Well this was another stage for us and it has passed. She doesn't do it at all anymore and when her lips to get a little dry from cold weather, she uses Cinderella chapstick.
I know it's hard but eventually he will listen to reason and not be so challenging.
As for the playing, well I don't have an easy answer. I spent a lot of time playing things over and over again with my daughter. You will probably have to let some things slide for a while or do them while son is sleeping. I do think as he gets a little older he will play more independently.
I like the idea of seeing if you can get him to help with some chores. Make a game out of it. My daughter liked this. She loves to empty the clothes dryer. Help empty the dishwasher, help with dinner. Even if you give them something simple in the kitchen and they think they are helping with dinner, it's a big deal to them.
If I come up with anything else I will let you know.
Take Care!
Kelly