Biting in the classroom is a very different issue than biting at home. Having a biter in the class can reek havoc almost instantly. Biting is a hard issue to have in the classroom. It can put staff, students and even the biter at risk for serious injury. Biting can leave bruises, break skin, tissues, muscles, and bones. It is also traumatizing for everyone involved. Students may be afraid of the biter. Staff may feel overwhelmed and not know what to do. These emotions are a normal response to a stressful situation. Remember the first priority is always safety.
Biting
The Student may:
bite themselves
bit others
attempt to bite others
Bite and scratches from a student grabbing onto my arm and biting me. Skin was broken.
Interventions:
Tell the student in a firm voice "no biting"
Maintain a safe distance from the student when the student is escalated ( example 4 feet).
Keep students away from the biting student.
Offer alternative things to bite (oral sensory fidgets, apples, carrots).
Wear bite guards. Bite guards do not prevent bruising from the pressure but they do prevent the skin from being broken and lessen the impact.
Seat the student away from others.
Communicate frequently with family.
Where is biting in the acting out cycle?
If a student is biting, it is important to remember that they have reached the highest state of escalation. The biter is at their peak. Any reasoning, talking, or yelling will not do any good and can further escalate this student. The student will need space to calm themselves down. Move students, and any potentially dangerous items away from the biting student. In some situations, the room may need to be cleared (have all students leave with an adult) until the biter has calmed down. The process of calming down or de-escalation can take around fifteen minutes. At any time during de-escalation, the student may become triggered and return to that peak stage.