Method to Get Rid of Thumb Sucking in a Child

Q:  I have two questions about a method to get rid of thumb sucking in a child.  First, how many days should we consider reasonable for eliminating the habit?  Second, What if they mess up?  

A:  I am glad you asked me those questions.  In our Unplugging the Thumb program, we use ten consecutive days as the target to eliminate the habit.  Sometimes they have a problem during that ten day period and they just start over again in order to have the ten days in succession.  As far as what to do if they mess up:  we never blame the child for any “mess ups.”  It is more likely that we overlooked or forgot some critical part of the program.  Or we might have begun the program at a time when something else important was going on in the child’s life.  Our program provides specifics on how to handle such situations, including what to say and give to the parents as well as the child.  The goal is to maintain a positive connection so that the child will decide at some time in the near future that he or she IS really ready to quit.  At that point, they call you and set up another appointment.  It is rare that this occurs if the therapist follows the Therapist’s Guide as directed.