A Dundee entrepreneur believes her chewable stationery invention can improve the lives of children living with Autism.
Jenny McLaughlan, 41, who appeared on Dragon’s Den in 2015, first enjoyed success with teething jewellery business, Gumigem.
The idea was inspired by Jenny’s own experience as a mother.
Jenny’s creation gives children a non-toxic appliance to chew on and relieve the 
discomfort caused by teething.
The jewellery is worn by the child’s parent, giving the child easy access.
Buoyed by her success with Gumigem, Jenny has since launched Chewigem, a venture which designs safe chewable items for Autistic children.
Some people with Autism like to chew on items to gain sensory relief.
Horrified by stories of children chewing dangerous items like batteries, Jenny has now helped create a “discrete” chewable stationery kit for school children.
Jenny said:Â “The new product is designed for schools.
“Schools are becoming more accepting of jewellery , but some children still don’t want to wear it (Gumigem products).
“The new product is a very discrete chewable stationery kit. The kit has been designed with the National Autistic Society, we’ve worked with them to develop it.
“I’ve been told of people chewing batteries in the past, so this can be something which gives people with the need to chew something to chew in a safer way.
“We’ve made the stationery as discrete as possible so the children using it don’t stand out.”
Jenny hopes the product can help enhance the lives of children living with the condition.
Her efforts have seen her nominated for an Autism Hero Award.
Jenny revealed: “Every Autistic child can be different in what they need.
“I had no experience of Autism before. We launched a competition previously for Gumigem asking people to send in pictures of their children wearing the product.
“One mum sent in a picture of her seven-year-old (who has Autism) wearing a product and his mum and I started messaging back and forth. She said it had changed her child’s life.
“We started out as Gumigem, but Chewigem has become a real passion. It’s fantastic because you know you are doing a good thing and making a difference to people’s lives.”
