Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs):
There are many behaviors that fall under the category of Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors, or BFRBs. They include nail biting, skin picking, teeth grinding, cheek biting, nose picking, and hair pulling. These behaviors can get out of control for some kids and they often find that it is very difficult to stop, even when they want to. These behaviors are often times more than just a habit and involve biological causes. Here are some common examples:
Tics are quite common in childhood and are characterized by brief, involuntary movements and/or sounds. Many children experience a number of diffident type of tics. Some of the more common motor tics include eye blinking, nose twitching, head jerks, arm movements, shrugging shoulders, and jaw movements. Common vocal tics include sniffling, coughing, barking, throat clearing and sucking noises. These are just a few examples, but tics can occur with just about any movement or sound. Most kids have a "premonitory urge" just prior to the tic. This feels like a build up inside of the body that is relieved when the tic is performed. While tics are involuntary, there are tools that can be used to help decrease the frequency of these behaviors.
Even though millions of children experience tics and BFRBs, most kids feel like they are alone. These behaviors can lead to shame and guilt. Sometimes kids have a hard time talking about these behaviors because they are embarrassed, or do not want to disappoint their parents. It is helpful to know that your child is in good company with many other totally awesome, super cool kids who happen to do the same behaviors. It does not mean that your child is a bad person or that they have any "deep issues". They just have a body that needs some extra things. At Courage Critters, we view kids with BFRBs and tics as fancy race cars... they just need a few driving lessons to learn how to control all of that power! Think of your Courage Critter as your driving instructor!
Parents should not try to get their child to "stop" doing the BFRB and tic behaviors. Avoid punishing or scolding your child with a BFRB or tic. Instead reward and encourage your child for using the skills to help control these behaviors. The best way to modify behavior is to not focus on the behavior you want to change, but rather put attention on the behaviors you want to see more frequently. Reward you child for doing the Courage Critters program and give them lots of praise and love. If they are not ready to stop the behavior, give them a little time and encouragement to use the skills.
This page will provide you with a brief description of the helpful skills that you will have access to as a Courage Club member. You will have access to these tabs when your Critter arrives with the special password on the Courage Card in the back pocket.
We can't wait to teach all of these skills to you! Join our Courage Club by purchasing your Courage Critter today.
Be sure to keep coming back to the website because we will be adding more skills for you and your child to learn!
Courage Critters is not the same as psychotherapy and is not intended to replace advice from your therapist or pediatrician. It may be helpful to speak with a therapist about certain issues. Please see our Resource page for additional information.
There are many behaviors that fall under the category of Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors, or BFRBs. They include nail biting, skin picking, teeth grinding, cheek biting, nose picking, and hair pulling. These behaviors can get out of control for some kids and they often find that it is very difficult to stop, even when they want to. These behaviors are often times more than just a habit and involve biological causes. Here are some common examples:
- Biting: Fingernails, toenails, rough skin, callouses, scabs, cuticles (skin around nails), tips of the hair, hair root
- If your child is swallowing long pieces of hair, it is important to tell your child's doctor about this just in case it is causing any problems in your child's digestive track.
- Picking: Scabs, rough spots, bumps, pimples, ingrown hairs, whiteheads, blackheads, skin around nails, nose
- Pulling: Eyelashes, eyebrows, scalp hair, arm hair, leg hair, other body hair
Tics are quite common in childhood and are characterized by brief, involuntary movements and/or sounds. Many children experience a number of diffident type of tics. Some of the more common motor tics include eye blinking, nose twitching, head jerks, arm movements, shrugging shoulders, and jaw movements. Common vocal tics include sniffling, coughing, barking, throat clearing and sucking noises. These are just a few examples, but tics can occur with just about any movement or sound. Most kids have a "premonitory urge" just prior to the tic. This feels like a build up inside of the body that is relieved when the tic is performed. While tics are involuntary, there are tools that can be used to help decrease the frequency of these behaviors.
Even though millions of children experience tics and BFRBs, most kids feel like they are alone. These behaviors can lead to shame and guilt. Sometimes kids have a hard time talking about these behaviors because they are embarrassed, or do not want to disappoint their parents. It is helpful to know that your child is in good company with many other totally awesome, super cool kids who happen to do the same behaviors. It does not mean that your child is a bad person or that they have any "deep issues". They just have a body that needs some extra things. At Courage Critters, we view kids with BFRBs and tics as fancy race cars... they just need a few driving lessons to learn how to control all of that power! Think of your Courage Critter as your driving instructor!
Parents should not try to get their child to "stop" doing the BFRB and tic behaviors. Avoid punishing or scolding your child with a BFRB or tic. Instead reward and encourage your child for using the skills to help control these behaviors. The best way to modify behavior is to not focus on the behavior you want to change, but rather put attention on the behaviors you want to see more frequently. Reward you child for doing the Courage Critters program and give them lots of praise and love. If they are not ready to stop the behavior, give them a little time and encouragement to use the skills.
This page will provide you with a brief description of the helpful skills that you will have access to as a Courage Club member. You will have access to these tabs when your Critter arrives with the special password on the Courage Card in the back pocket.
- Under the page, Pillars of Health we will look at how your child is caring for their body. Sleep, exercise and nutrition will be discussed. There is helpful information available and some suggestions for goals.
- Kids with BFRBs and tics are often hard-wired with extra sensory needs. You will find an explanation of this and many different ideas for sensory substitutes under the Sensory Needs page. This is a fun section where snuggling your Critter is involved!
- Many times kids notice emotional triggers for their BFRB and tics, the Balance Emotions page will give you ideas on how to identify and balance your child's emotions in other ways. Some common emotional triggers are being scared, excited, frustrated, bored or tired. This is where the Fear Busting Tools can also be helpful.
- As members of the Courage Club, we act like scientists to determine what your child's body may need to be in better balance. Our goal is to know what is needed as soon as an urge arises, or even better.... teach your child how to take care of themselves in ways that may prevent the urge from even coming up in the first place! The Know Your Triggers tab will be a great page to summarize everything that you learned. Once you have a better understanding of your child's behaviors, you will know what you need to do to better help your child.
We can't wait to teach all of these skills to you! Join our Courage Club by purchasing your Courage Critter today.
Be sure to keep coming back to the website because we will be adding more skills for you and your child to learn!
Courage Critters is not the same as psychotherapy and is not intended to replace advice from your therapist or pediatrician. It may be helpful to speak with a therapist about certain issues. Please see our Resource page for additional information.