My DS8 is a chewer and has been for several years. He does not have an SPD diagnosis but I have purchased chew toys since he was in K. I noticed that he chews either when he is processing something interesting or difficult or when he is bored out of his mind. I have never tried to discourage chewing but have always redirected it away from clothes and pencils, etc. to his chew toys. It was a problem for his school last year because he chewed pencils and one of his teachers called the chewers in the class goats. This year at a new school, his teacher suggested we send in dried Mango that she would give him when he needed it. This year, he is in a school that is a much better fit and I have noticed that while he still chews, he has been chewing less than before. My DH is still a chewer so I doubt that my DS will ever really outgrow it and I bit my nails as a kid and still struggle not to do that today. We turned out ok, so I am fine with appropriate chewing.
