Reducing Pica Behavior (Ingesting Non-Edible Substances)

If you have a child who likes to eat staples, paper clips, paper, clothing, or other items that are not intended for eating, this ABA Teaching Secret can help you. Often, children put items in their mouths for the sensory experience. But if they swallow these items, this could be pica. If that is the case, we need to work on reducing this behavior while replacing it with items that are edible and that won’t injure the child. Like all of the ABA Teaching Secrets, "Reducing Pica Behavior" ha sample goals, specific and easy-to-understand teaching steps, helpful hints, and ABA data forms. Good luck!