7/24/2023 0 Comments Pica treatment plan peer reviewSo, you may be wondering, how is it that we’ve identified an effective intervention (ABA), yet continue to have no definitive treatment protocol for treating pica?ĪBA is a process that professionals use to systematically address socially-significant problems. In fact, researchers have effectively employed a wide variety of interventions using ABA however, reliable intervention packages still need to be identified (Williams and McAdam, 2012). What research we do have tells us that interventions employing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) are the most effective option available (Matson et al., 2013). Despite these implications, less research has focused on the treatment of pica than other common behaviors of concern in children with autism, such as self-injury and aggression (Matson et al., 2011). At its worst, pica may result in the need for surgery, and in the most serious instance, death (Bell & Stein, 1992). Ingesting non-food items can have serious negative effects. Generally, from the child development literature, we also know it’s rare for typically developing children over the age of 2 to ingest non-food items. A review by Matson and his colleagues (2013) reports prevalence in the general population to be 4 to 26%. The behavior is common among those with autism and other developmental disabilities however, the exact prevalence of pica in these populations is unknown and potentially, underreported (Beeker, 2008). Tips for parents to jump-start a treatment plan for these behaviorsĬhildren exhibiting pica eat a variety of non-food items such as clay, mud, paperclips, hair, or paint. Common, evidence-based treatments to consider.What makes them so challenging to treat.Starting with pica, we’ll cover the following information about each of these difficult behaviors: This is the first of a 2-part series for families tackling these difficult behaviors. Why do these behaviors occur and why are they so difficult to treat? Elopement occurs when a child runs or wanders away from safe, supervised environments. Pica refers to the ingestion of non-food items. Two particularly daunting behaviors families affected by autism contend with are pica and elopement. Other behaviors are not so charming and can be disruptive and dangerous. Then he proceeded to tell me 3 facts about 3 presidents. presidents plus special facts about each one. One upstanding character I met last week proudly reported that he’d memorized all of the U.S. Children with autism display a variety of unique behaviors.
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