Mouthing is a common behavior in children with autism spectrum disorder (sometimes confused in infants for teething) that involves inserting an inedible object into their mouth for the purposes of sensory stimulation.
Mouthing is the tendency to chew, suck, or bite on non-food objects, often as a sensory-seeking behavior or self-soothing mechanism. Individuals with ASD may engage in mouthing to cope with stress, sensory challenges, or to self-regulate.