Some tips needed

Any tips or ideas to help a kid with great amounts of anxiety? To the point where assessing his abilities isn't accurate (according to parents). Lovely kid, works hard, but his reading level is low. But according to parents, when he reads by himself (out loud) and nobody is around, he reads great. I DO believe them but when I have worked with him, I don't see it because as mellow as I am with him, he gets REALLY anxious and doesn't perform well.

Also, ideas for helping kids with oral fixations? Currently, they are chewing their hair, pencils, erasers, those rubber bands from the rainbow looms, etc. I don't want them choking. Got good suggestions to replace those things?

Thanks!

Some tips needed

Maybe have them record themselves reading on the iPad.

Re: Some tips needed

The students chewing on things....what age? Special ed or gen ed? I teach special ed and when I found I had students who were constantly chewing on fingers, hair, whatever, I would give them "chewelry". They have different types and I'd always consult with the student's parent first. For these kids, they needed sensory input which was what the chewing provided.

Some tips needed

first grade gen ed. I've heard of chewelry. I will pass that info along. Thank you!