pica

[jay]

Sigh... our son David (age 9) was picking up objects that had been swept out from under the living-room futon. We have an ongoing issue with him putting foreign objects -- called "pica" -- into his mouth... it's a constant battle of "spit that thing out!" with him. Most kids outgrow this when they're toddlers, but David's autism means that he stubbornly clings to some behaviors that are typical of a much younger child.

Tonight, he picked up a small socket (lost from a ratchet set) from the dust pile, and was playing with it. At some point (I was in another room, and Pat had her head turned in the kitchen) he popped it in his mouth... it is cylindrical and smooth, and he swallowed it. After a call to the after-hours pediatric nurse, and an attempt to swallow bread (he gagged, so is probably partially blocked) he's off to the emergency room with patgreene. (shakes head)

Comments

[brian1789.livejournal.com]

I think it's a oral comfort mechanism... a reason why some people take up smoking, or overeat. Things to watch out for in the future, in his case.

Hopefully the negative consequences of the behavior, this time, will finally give him enough disincentive to stop it...

[who-is-she.livejournal.com]

"Hopefully the negative consequences of the behavior, this time, will finally give him enough disincentive to stop it..."

uh.......don't count on it. His desire to do this is not logical. How unpleasant WAS This experience? Was he in pain? or were you just distressed about how to proceed with him having ingested a foreign object?

What do "the experts" say about this? is there anyway to offer a substitute, something appropriate.. that can fill the oral fixation need? I mean, obviously a pacifier is not age-appropriate! but basically.. that's what people are doing when they smoke or nail bite....
.... but of course you don't want to suggest either of those activities to your child. :)

best of luck, and remember we're all here in LJ land when you need to talk.....