How to Manage Pica Behavior: Practical Tips Every Parent Needs to Know!

Mike Carr, a father of a 35-year-old son with severe autism, shares his personal experience managing Pica behavior—when individuals eat non-food items. His son has ingested everything from rocks and leaves to toothpaste and deodorant, once even biting into a chlorine tablet from a pool skimmer, which led to a serious health scare. Mike offers practical solutions they've discovered over the years, such as using polyester or knit shirts and cloth napkins to deter chewing, locking up tempting non-edibles like deodorant and toothpaste, and ignoring attention-seeking behaviors when safe. He also mentions possible nutritional causes like iron or zinc deficiencies and recommends a helpful resource, “Pica: A Guide for Professionals,” for additional support. Pica Behavior Prevention: https://www.canva.com/design/DAG0ekwk... 00:00 Introduction to Pica Behavior 00:30 Defining Pica and Examples 01:35 A Scary Incident with Chlorine Tablets 03:00 The Unexpected Nature of Pica 03:40 Managing Pica Behavior: Trial and Error 05:50 Securing the Environment 08:50 Conclusion: Resources for Parents / @autismlabs https://www.autismlabs.com/home/ #ProfoundAutism #PicaAwareness #caregiving #autismsupport #specialneedsparenting #PicaBehavior #autism