Eating soap? | Autism PDD

My son likes to chew his shirts. His speech therapist got him started using chewies this year. He loves them. We tried them when he was younger and he didn't take to them then. Now, when we see him chewing his shirt, we get him a chewy. I don't know if it would help you or not but here is a couple of websites that sell chewies. My son loves the yellow "chewy tube". And now they have the green chewy tube that has texture- he really loves that one!

www.abilitations.com

www.autismshop.com

mommaniki

SInce I have been a member here I have seen several posts of children eating odd things. If technically PICA is a lack of nutrients then I guess it wouldn't be that if the doc has said so, but it must not be unheard of for children on the spectrum to do this because I have seen many posts like yours to include various non-food items. SO hopfully someone else can post on what their child eats even if its not soap.

Karrie

Sharlet eats soapy bubbles/foam whenever she gets the chance..

I would think its a typical ASD trait for some people. Though Michael doesn't eat soap, he eats snow all the time...even the ones on his shoes !!! Loves slurpies (slushies).He will crush ice-cubes with his toys and eat them so we don't have ice-cube trays because of that.

I'm assuming its a sensory seeking issue.

My son about the same age drunk a whole bottle of perform. I thought the same, how could it not taste bad. This was right before the dx and having the OT asst. for SID. The funny thing was he did it when I went to answer a phone call from early intervention, so when they asked me the question " How long can you leave him alone for" I didn't need to answer. Anyways, come to find out he was undersensitive in taste. I know there is a better term but it's late.My son used to do this when he was young but it was short lived. It sounds like a sensory issue. Does he receive OT? If so your OT can suggest alternatives when you bring it to his/her attention. Does anyone's kid do this? My son will eat shampoo or bars of soap whenever he gets a hold of them, and he makes his yummy sound. I don't think it's a pica, I think he just really likes soap. At about this same age my dd took a bite out of soap and cried tears for about an hour because it was so horrible. But I'll find my ds on the floor sucking shampoo down, or eating a bar of soap like it was nectar from the gods. So far he hasn't eaten enough to make himself sick, and I'm trying really hard to keep it out of his reach. The kids pretty clever, though.

Is this a typical behavior? As a family doc, my first thought at the TITLE of your post was "PICA", but then I read the thread...Although unlikely, I think it's still important to rule out coexisting medical conditions. After all, PICA means the body is lacking certain vital nutrients...Perhaps there is a nutritional issue that needs to be addressed?Both my DD and NT did this. It eventually stopped. Gross yes I know I never really understood it. My DD ate it longer, she also eat sand which is awful to me as well. I am not sure if it is a oral fixation or just the easiest way for her to process sensations.

Classic PICA items are starch, clay, ice, soap flakes, paint chips perhaps...

My son chews on his shirts and has recently started "chewing" on his hands/fingers...He never went through the stage where babies put everything in their mouths! Maybe he's catching up in some way!?