Unfortunately those items will not satisfy someone with PICA.
I have had PICA my entire life, like Abbie. It is actually a bit more complicated than a lot (not saying you) of people think. It isnt about "texture" at all. It is a literal craving for a non-edible item. Texture can be a factor, some people seek out their item along with texture, but it is not the dominant issue.
The cause/effect of PICA has been discussed, studied and disputed for years. Some studies believe it is strictly a result of the body's inability to absorb certain nutrients (like Iron) which cause the odd cravings. Other studies show that it is actually PICA itself that cause the nutrient deficit, because the ingestion on non-food items are hindering digestion and the body's ability to absorb proper food items. Kind of a which came first? The chicken or the egg scenario.
Its also very very common in people with DD, ADHD, and certain mental illness like schizophrenia. Its considered a Eating Disorder but now studies are leaning toward PICA actually being an OCD, and treatments vary from medicinal to behavior modification. I had both. I mentioned before that I had severe ADHD as a child. Severe. This was in the mid-70's...treatment was new, meds were new, and ADHD was simply "Hyperactivity" then. I spent my elementary years in a windowless room one on one with an therapist because even though my IQ tested well above grade level, I was deemed behaviorally unteachable. I was the first child in my county to take Ritalin, and my mother had to challenge the school board to allow me to take a dose at school. By age 7, my behaviors caused my parents to divorce, my brothers hated me, my mother was in therapy, and I damaged our home and belongings at a relentless pace. And the PICA. I craved and ate chalk, ice, dirt, cigarette ashes, Play-Doh...you name it. Even though ABA eliminated my horrible and unsafe behavior by my early teens, and I began to thrive in school and socially....here I am, just turned 50, and the PICA remains. I have Iron infusions every 12 weeks and also take oral supplements daily. Yet I still crave chalk. I eat Tums like candy, or drink Milk of Mag, because they taste like chalk and will not harm me.
Sorry so long. Just wanted to point out how PICA can stand alone as a sole disorder, or be a comorbidity to many others. (There are also significant cultural and socioeconomic factors that are super interesting, but I digress.
) I have always been truly bothered that they talk about her PICA, but I have never ONCE heard them address how they are working toward (or had in the past) treatment options. Its really unpleasant guys. I joke about it myself, that I have to stop myself from literally licking my own ashtray when I have an episode...but how can Abbie express, or even substitute an item for a need that she cannot communicate, and parents who shrug and giggle it off? I have never said this before (due to the length of all this) but as someone who has lived my life with PICA- I 100% believe that at least half of the time that she is signing for "food" she is trying to communicate that unmet craving and need. It makes me sad. Again, this isnt like craving a donut. It is overpowering and uncomfortable.
