I think that it's a texture thing...they get distracted by how it feels...I'm sure there's a definite link...I know my daughter does the same. She also tears up tissues, paper into small pieces...it might be a mindless distraction that allows their minds from racing for a couple minutes. As an ADD mom, I can definitely see that and understand. I think if you don't want them to chew on his shirt you'll have to distract him w/ something else - chewing gum, chewing on a straw, etc.

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@hmc199,

While oral-motor activity/obsession is not one of the symptoms of ADHD (see the full symptom checklist here: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd-web/article/554.html), it is a sensory reflex that often accompanies ADHD. My son, age 8, has the same problem. It was so bad two years, ago just before he was diagnosed with ADHD, that the school was begging me to do something -- he was chewing the ends of pencils until the metal that holds the eraser on was like a razor blade and then cutting the inside of his mouth. In winter, he would also chew his shirt sleeves until they looked like swiss cheese. I provide chewing gum so he doesn't hurt himself or tear up his clothing (I tried tools designed for chewing like Chewelry, but he wouldn't chew those items). Our doctor is now speculating it may be anxiety.

Of course, you should talk this symptom over with your family medical professional, as they know you and your child better than any other professional that may give advice on this.

Take a look at this post, "Pick & Rip," on ADDitudeMag.com's Parenting Blog: http://www.additudemag.com/adhdblogs/4/3827.html. You can see, your child isn't the only one.

Penny W., ADDitudeMag.com Community Moderator mom to Luke, ADHD, age 8 creator of the Website {a mom's view of ADHD} at http://aMomsViewOfADHD.com

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This is something I did a lot as a kid, my mum would be really annoyed by the fact I would often chew holes in my school jumper, as well as put anything in my mouth. When I was 16 my mum complained that she could never put anything on the table just in case I put it in my mouth. Even now (I'm in my early twenties I seem to chew a lot of different things, sometimes I start biting things randomly and I'm not even sure why I'm doing it, like my arm, as well as pens, or bits of plastic. I'm not really sure what kind of behaviour it is, my diagnose is complex, and I'm not sure how many of my symptoms of ADHD go back to childhood, or which became worse for various reasons.

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hmc199 said: my 7 yr old has adhd & i was wondering if him chewing on his clothes and tearing up small items: paper, sponges, etc. is connected to adhd? is there any advise to help him overcome this... i have had to toss alot of his shirts

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Hi there, My son is 8 and has ADD. He's been chewing holes in his clothes for years. It's frustrating! I've just found out he does have some sensory issues. I don't think the chewing is part of the sensory issues, though. I believe he chews things when he's feeling antsy and just needs to get out some energy.

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