If your autistic child enjoys licking objects then you will likely want to know how to stop this behaviour.

Although every child is different in this article we give you some concepts and tactics to try.

We also explore if licking things is a sign of autism.

Is licking things a sign of autism?

As we know, autism is a complex condition which can lead to a wide range of behaviours.

These such behaviours sometimes include a tendancy to act inappropriately in certain situations.

One such behaviour which is common in autistic children is for them to lick objects.

In terms of the commonality of autistic children licking things, it has been a consistent theme among our authors.

All have noticed this preference.

It is however very important to note that a lot of neuro-typical children also enjoy licking things.

An autism diagnosis isn’t as simple as just one behaviour, it is a complex process examining a number of factors.

With that said, let’s explore what may be behind the behaviour for autistic children.

Why do they lick things?

Again it will be different for each child but a common trait with autistic child is having sensory desires in their mouths.

The feeling of certain things in their mouths and on their tongue feels nice to them.

If you add that to the fact that it is easy for autistic children to develop repetitive behaviour you have a recipe for this becoming a regular activity for your child.

How to stop them licking

There are many reasons why you would want to stop this behaviour, ranging from the risk of illness to the unsociable nature of the activity.

Here are some things to try;

Understand the behaviour

Before attempting to stop an autistic child from licking, it’s important to understand why they are doing it.

Licking can be a way for the child to self-soothe or seek sensory input. It may also be a sign of anxiety, boredom, or hunger.

Identifying the reason behind the behaviour can help you choose the best approach to stop it.

Keep a log of where and when they lick items and crucially what it is that they are licking.

My daughter didn’t necessarily lick items but she was constantly putting inappropriate objects in her mouth.

What we recognised was that she had a liking for small metal items such as teaspoons. What we we able to do is remove access to such items and reduce the behaviour.

Create a sensory diet

If your child is licking to try and satisfy a sensory desire you could try and replicate that in their meals.

If your child likes for example licking smooth objects you could provide them apples with the skin on. If they like licking rough objects you could try crunchy waffles or alike.

Things like sugar free lollypops can also be good to replace the desire to lick objects. You could carry a supply on you at all times to break out at times where you think your child would otherwise start to lick.

Provide a chew/mouthing toy

Some parents don’t like the idea of their child having a chew toy and others absolutely swear by them.

What they do is provide the child with a consistent, reassuring object to satisfy an oral sensory desire so one may be worth a try.

Work on communication

It is likely your child is engaging in this behaviour because they don’t realise anything is wrong with it. This could well be down to a lack of communication and understanding.

Don’t rule out alternative forms of communication including basic emotion cards. With these you can explain to your child that licking perhaps makes you angry or sad.

Reward improvement

Positive reinforcement is a strategy that rewards desired behaviours with praise, attention, or a tangible reward. When the child displays appropriate behaviour, such as not licking, or stopping when you tell them, provide positive reinforcement.

Install negative consequences

Negative consequences are a strategy that discourages undesirable behaviour by removing a reward or privilege. For example, if the child licks a non-food item, such as a toy, remove the toy for a period of time to discourage the behaviour.

Teach appropriate social behaviour

It may be that your child is licking objects because he or she doesn’t otherwise know how to act and therefore their anxiety may rise.

Autistic children may not understand social cues and appropriate behaviour in social situations.

Teach the child appropriate social behaviour, such as greeting others, sharing toys, and taking turns. This can reduce anxiety and provide the child with appropriate ways to interact with others.

Summary – How to stop an autistic child licking things

Stopping an autistic child from licking can be a challenging task for parents. However, understanding the reasons behind the behaviour would be the first step to take in reducing the occurrences.

Once armed with more information about the behaviour you can decide if you are going to either try to replace the sensory desire or try to teach your way around it.

With patience, consistency, and a tailored approach, parents and can help their child develop appropriate behaviours and reduce the challenges associated with autism.