What is "Pica?" Although there are several meanings of this word, one in particular stems from a Latin word that means magpie, which is a bird known for enormously eating whatever is in site. In medical and psychological textbooks, pica is the act or habit of eating nonfood items.
For children ages of 18 months - 3 years, pica is common during their natural growth and development via putting objects in their mouths during play or boredom. Ultimately, this form of habit soon fades out. As for children with autism, pica forms a Sensory Integrative Dysfunction that creates difficulty in processing certain sensory stimuli (a certain touch, smell, taste, sound, movement etc.) possibly causing disruptive and unpredictable eating habits. Another form of pica in autism children is the Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), usually determined by a medical specialist.
Pica in children commonly entail and eat inedible items such as:
- Finger nails
- Plastic
- Crayons
- Paint
- Paper
- Fabric
- Out-dated foods
- Glue
- Dirt
- Ice
- Chalk
- Clay
- Wood
…And of course, the list continues.
Other signs of pica in its extreme form causes serious health conditions such as lead poisoning found in old paint or soil. It can also be severe in skin disorders such as soil-borne parasitic infections known as “toxoplasmosis and toxocariasis” that can cause eczema, rashes, and more.
What causes a person to eat nonfoods?
- Nutritional deficiencies: iron or zinc.
- Dieting: replacing hunger with an inedible to feel full.
- Malnutrition: insufficient nutrition.
- Cultural factors: commonly practiced inedible substances in religions/groups or families.
- Parental neglect of supervision or food: commonly seen children in poor areas or poverty.
- Developmental problems: mental retardation, autism, other developmental disabilities, or brain abnormalities.
- Mental health conditions: schizophrenia or OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder).
- Pregnancy: pica practices during childhood or history in the family.
What can parents do?
- Visit your family medical doctor, a dermatologist, a psychologist or any other mental health professional in many case scenarios for proper care.
- Remove all hazardous waist from children.
- Use a safety lock or high shelves to storage harmful items.
- Specifically pay attention to old home renovation that tend to have lead-based paint dust or flakes.
- Ask your doctor or pharmacist about foods or products that carefully cleanse toxins.
Please remember that pica at lower levels in small children soon stops within their natural growth and development.
Comments
Good article mom! Pica is something that I didn't know about, but I do remember a lot of kids when I was little eating stuff they shouldn't. Hey, don't forget to let Sharon or Tina promote this one too on Facebook. Those two big groups get things done all over the world for autism. I always wanted to tell you that I like how Examiner looks so professional for the writers on here!
Correct, Pica apparently is extreme and hopefully my article aids many. Also, thanks for referencing a few organizations that have history in some high creditable places to speak on autism. You can Google them (i.e. ANCA, AWN, CNFA, etc.) for more information, if you like. Many of them are based out of the US, Canada, England, and other countries.
User friendly information :)...very good Doc!
Hello and thanks Judy! I do try my best.
By the way...Doc, I forgot to ask...are you going out to NY or FL again this year? Your sister told me that you love flying now...proud of you... :) I wish your 18 year old the best in college this year...and I wish your oldest the best in his goals too. You guys are so strong...my aunt that lives on your street says that all of the time...she remembers when your boys were born. Anyways...see you on Facebook. I will be signing up for more computer lessons soon too. My husband says hello and take care of yourself.
Wow! Judy, it was a challenge for me years back to travel on a commuter plane to New York - what a total surprise of 9 isles that later, turned into several trips. Now, I ride on regular planes to Florida and other places, of course, I haven't stopped since. Also, my family and I should be traveling soon for a very close relative's wedding. Can't hardly wait!
As for my sons, the two of them are grown now and I can't hardly believe that my youngest will be going off to college either. Once, we got the co-signing thing in order, I was relieved. I have to tell you that college for all of us is so expensive these days, you know! I believe my youngest going to college enforced a positve input on my oldest and I see that they both want to become great men that they once promised my dad. Truly, I am very proud of their happiness and successes.
Also, thanks for you and your husbands help in posting my articles and other materials, and especially my learning games. Before the week is out, I should have other articles to add to my column here.
Don't forget to let me know when you need a refresher course.
I wonder why someone would need to have a personal conversation on a blog spot for an article? Trying to convince some one of some thing? Didn't work. Lol...
How was the wedding Carolyn?
Judy, the wedding pictures are on my FB! Darrell was so handsome and his wife, Felicia was simply beautiful. Thanks for asking...God Bless.
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