Outpatient Treatment of Pica in a Developmentally Delayed Child

A multiple baseline design was employed to evaluate the effectiveness of over correction and differential reinforcement to reduce pica in a 4-year-old developmentally delayed boy. Parents and classroom staff were trained as mediators of treatment by a behavioral consultant. Despite the effectiveness of the procedure, treatment mediators terminated intervention, therefore, an alternative program consisting of positive reinforcement and time-out was implemented according to a reversal design. Pica was measured via direct observation and parental monitoring during a variety of activities, including fine motor tasks, gross motor play, and independent play. Results indicated clear reductions in pica as a result of both interventions. Implications for future clinical practice and research are discussed.