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Using food aversion to decrease severe pica by a child with autism

Summer J Ferreri1, Lori Tamm, Kristin G Wier

  • 1The Ohio State University, USA.

Behavior Modification
|May 26, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Food aversion therapy effectively reduced plastic pica in a young autistic boy, preventing digestive issues. The intervention also maintained appropriate toy play skills.

Area of Science:

  • Behavioral science
  • Developmental psychology
  • Clinical psychology

Background:

  • Pica, the compulsive consumption of non-food items, presents significant health risks, particularly in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
  • Plastic ingestion from toys can lead to severe digestive complications, necessitating effective interventions.
  • Addressing pica is crucial for the well-being and developmental progress of children with ASD.

Observation:

  • A 4-year-old boy diagnosed with autism exhibited plastic pica, leading to digestive problems.
  • The child ingested plastic material from various toys.
  • The behavior occurred during instructional periods in his preschool setting.

Findings:

  • Food aversion therapy proved effective in significantly reducing the frequency of plastic pica.
  • The intervention was successfully generalized across classroom settings and involved 25 teachers.
  • Crucially, the therapy did not negatively impact the child's interaction with toys, preserving appropriate play skills.

Implications:

  • Food aversion therapy offers a promising, non-restrictive approach to managing pica in children with autism.
  • Successful generalization highlights the potential for widespread implementation in educational settings.
  • Maintaining play skills alongside pica reduction is vital for holistic child development and treatment success.

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