Some bloggers have sitemeters. Some bloggers check their sitemeters to see who is searching what subject, if they are brave. Occasionally I am brave and check. What follows are three pieces upon subjects that three people researched via google. This is the first topic.

PicaA common definition of ‘pica’ is where someone eats non foodstuffs. The most common familiar example of this phenomenon was of pregnant women eating coal. It is often associated with a nutritional deficiency which the non foodstuff provides. Pica is often associated with autism. Autistic people often have very poor diets due to a wide variety of reasons. Whilst it may be true that they are seeking to supplement their diet due to a specific deficiency, sometimes this is inaccurate.

For the moment I would prefer to ignore the quagmire of what is deemed ‘socially inappropriate,’ and instead concentrate of the ‘why.’

If we focus on our five senses, we each know which are more or less sensitive for us as individuals. It varies from one to another. We also know that if one or more of our senses are weak, we rely on the others to compensate. My sense of smell is average. I could never be a professional ‘taster’ and my eyesight is poor, but my hearing is excellent as is my sense of touch.

My direct experience of pica is limited. One of my boys has serious challenges with foods, oral defensiveness, sensory issues and low facial muscle tone. Collectively, until recently, putting anything in his mouth, be that toothbrush or food, was interpreted as some form of parental torture. My older son differs from his brother.

He has a very high pain threshold. In many respects he appears to be unaware of his surrounding although that is both simplistic and untrue, it is ‘merely’ his outward appearance that gives this false impression. Occupational therapists refer to a child’s level of arousal, which for me means, ‘is he tuned in?’ I know this sounds irrelevant but bear with me a moment. Many of us are familiar with the concept of deep proprioceptive input, what we call ‘squishing.’ Sometimes, it is only through the equivalent of deep pressure or massage that he can ‘get in touch’ with his body. Some might say that it is calming, others may believe that this heightens his awareness, but the overall effect is that he is happier and more relaxed.

Where does this get us? Well, if his sensory system, smell, touch, taste and so on, are operating on a lower register than mine, then in order to enjoy the same experience as me, he has to try harder, use more of his senses so that together they have a great impact.

An example might help. If we enjoy the sense of sight, then a picture of a flower may be pleasing, a colourful one, like Honeysuckle. If we had the real flower, it might have a perfume. We could touch the smooth leaves with deep veins, silky petals and powdery stamens. Is it such a stretch to include taste or how it might feel in my mouth? If it is, then I would suggest you watch this video by "Amanda Baggs."

For parents, I would politely suggest that we concentrate on the dangers. I was definitely alarmed to find my son licking all kinds of things from furniture to people. People are generally benign, floor tacks on the other hand should be avoided. Whilst I should not wish to trivialize this phenomenon, I try to keep it in perspective. I notice that my son closes his eyes when he does this, maybe to help his focus and concentration. I don’t turn a blind eye to this habit, but I can avert my gaze as long as he’s safe.

"Cheers dears"