Sensory Processing Disorder and Pica

Her Pediatrician, SHOULD be referring you to a Specialist.
Pediatricians, are not specialists in this area.
That is why, the Ped. is not relaying pertinent information to you.

Any Pediatrician, for things that are out of the norm or needs further diagnosis and treatment, will and should... be referring the patient to a Specialist.

Just as: if the child had heart problems, a Pediatrician would NOT be doing surgery on the child. Because the Pediatrician is not a Pediatric Heart Surgeon nor Cardiac Doctor. And, the Pediatrician would be, referring the patient to a Specialist.

Thus, you need to request this, from the Pediatrician. To be referred to a pertinent Specialist for this type of issue.

I am reading Sensational Kids by the writer of The Out-of-Sync Child. It was lent to me by my son's OT. He does not have Pica, but he is a sensory seeker. The trick, I am learning, is to find acceptable methods of stimulating their senses and train them to rely on those instead. For instance, I am getting a trampoline for my son so he will not have to pile up his toys and jump off in order to get that soothing sensation he gets when he jumps.

Good luck to you.

I don't have personal experience with pica but I have read that it can (though not always) relate to vitamin or mineral (zinc?) deficiency.

If it were me I'd find a good integrative MD and get a complete work-up - blood, vitamins, minerals, food sensitivities, etc.

I wasted YEARS with my board-certified ped trying to get answers for my son (who gave us vague, non-helpful comments too - "he will grow out of this"). It took an integrative MD to get a handle on a couple of his health issues, and then everything else we were doing really got traction and we made tremendous progress.

Today this once very sickly child is 6 feet tall and a black belt in karate. Praise God.

Your child is very young - great job on getting on top of these issues early.

Good luck and wishing you the best.

Pica is a symptom of a vitamin deficiency or iron deficiency. Get her checked. I believe in this case you should go the natural healing way and see a naturopath. Also take her of all processed and canned foods. Go to the fresh foods isle and fresh fish bar. Take advantage of our summer foods available here in the northwest.

Sometimes Pica is attributed to medical disorders, or conditions like Anemia, or lack of Vitamin absorption/deficiency. Your Pediatrician should know better then to just tell you that all children are different. I would find a different doctor. If she is that severe with Pica, she will need a specialist, one who will work with you on treating it( maybe their is something on-line that would help you narrow your search). It sounds like she also likes the scents in all of those you stated above. They all kind of have the same scent to them. And are all calming/soft to the body. It's interesting in what she choses . My son has a sensory issue, especially with textures. He doesn't eat certain foods that are too rough, or have edges to them. He has grown out of this a little now that he is older, but at times has difficulties. The food also has to look appetizing. We had made smores a couple of weeks ago, and we thought he would love it, right?! Well, he was scared to try it because the marshmallows were burnt or brown..( despite the fact that he loves chocolate/marshmallows) He also likes soft clothing, sheets, and blankets. He won't sleep without his soft blanket. Your OT might be able to refer you to a specialist. Good luck!

You live in Washington State which has wonderful homeopathic naturopaths.
Find one who is focused on children. Take her and get her the necessary remedy. Everything will clear up.
M.D.'s cannot help with this sort of problem. Go to someone who specializes in Constitutional Remedies. Ask when you make your phone inquiries.