PICA Disorder

PICA disorder

My child Alanis is dealing with PICA Disorder. Many children that have sensory related issues /Autism deal with this disorder as well. Some are more severe then others. Alanis is considered to e in the early intervention part of PICA . I wanted to write about this because I have been asking for your prayers for my child and well I wanted to bring awareness of PICA . We received this diagnosis last year for alanis but she was inthe very low end of the PICA spectrum , At this time she is considered to be in the more severre end because of the things she has now eatena nd she needs medical intervention. As you know my child also has an anxiety disorder that doesn't help the PICA but with the many prayers and faith in the Lord and last but not least the help of the professionals she will make it .

A behaviorist specialist in PICA will be here in the home and in school so I appreciate evrything and everyone who is now going to help her.

I will keep you all posted

What is PICA :

Many young kids put nonfood items in their mouths at one time or another. They're naturally curious about their environment and might, for instance, eat some dirt out of the sandbox.
Kids with pica, however, go beyond this innocent exploration of their surroundings. As many as 25% to 30% of kids (and 20% of those seen in mental health clinics)

have the eating disorder pica, which is characterized by persistent and compulsive cravings (lasting 1 month or longer) to eat nonfood items.
About PicaThe word pica comes from the Latin word for magpie,

a bird known for its large and indiscriminate appetite.

Pica is most common in people with developmental disabilities, including autism and mental retardation, and in children between the ages of 2 and 3. Although kids younger than 18 to 24 months can try to eat nonfood items, it isn't necessarily considered abnormal at that age.
Pica is also a behavior that may surface in children who've had a brain injury affecting their development. It can also be a problem for some pregnant women,

as well as people with epilepsy.

People with pica frequently crave and consume nonfood items such as:
•dirt•clay•paint chips•plaster•chalk•cornstarch•laundry starch•baking soda•coffee grounds•cigarette ashes•burnt match heads•cigarette butts•feces•ice•glue•hair•buttons•paper•sand•toothpaste•soapAlthough consumption of some items may be harmless, pica is considered to be a serious eating disorder that can sometimes result in serious health problems such as lead poisoning and iron-deficiency anemia.

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Signs of PicaLook for these warning signs that your child may have pica:
•repetitive consumption of nonfood items, despite efforts to restrict it, for a period of at least 1 month or longer•the behavior is considered inappropriate for your child's age or developmental stage (older than 18 to 24 months)•the behavior is not part of a cultural, ethnic, or religious practiceWhy Do Some People Eat Nonfood Items?The specific causes of pica are unknown, but certain conditions and situations can increase a person's risk for pica:

•nutritional deficiencies, such as iron or zinc, that may trigger specific cravings (however, the nonfood items craved usually don't supply the minerals lacking in the person's body)•dieting — people who diet may attempt to ease hunger by eating nonfood substances to get a feeling of fullness•malnutrition, especially in underdeveloped countries, where people with pica most commonly eat soil or clay•cultural factors — in families, religions, or groups in which eating nonfood substances is a learned practice•developmental problems, such as mental retardation, autism, other developmental disabilities, or brain abnormalities•mental health conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and schizophrenia•pregnancy, but it's been suggested that pica during pregnancy occurs more frequently in women who exhibited similar practices during their childhood or before pregnancy or who have a history of pica in their familyTheories about what causes pica abound. One is that a nutritional deficiency, such as iron deficiency, can trigger specific cravings. Evidence supports that at least some pica cases are a response to dietary deficiency — nutritional deficiencies often are associated with pica and their correction often improves symptoms. Some pregnant women, for example, will stop eating nonfood items after being treated for iron deficiency anemia,

a common condition among pregnant women with pica.

However, not everyone responds when a nutritional deficiency is corrected, which may be a consequence of pica rather than the cause, and some people with pica don't have a documented nutritional deficiency.