Autism / Autism Spectrum Support Group

Autism is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder which manifests itself in markedly abnormal social interaction, communication ability, patterns of interests, and patterns of behavior. Although the specific etiology of autism is unknown, many researchers suspect that autism results from genetically mediated vulnerabilities to environmental triggers.

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Developmental & Learning Disorders
/ Autism / Autism Spectrum Support Group

Eating habits

deleted_user
deleted_user
Ok so , I have a question. Cameron is a very picky eater and he has major sensory issues. Soooo he only eats chicken nuggets, pizza, mac and cheese(velveeta only), cereal, pancakes, lunchables, and thats about it.
I get those things for him, and if I try something else, he refuses to eat it. My mom says well if hes hungry enough he will eat it. But ok... that works with typical children, but with autism they sometimes have anger or tantrum issues and his doctor says not to let him get too hungry or that can be a cause of an outburst. So far that has helped a lot. My question is... I dont listen to my mom. I make what he likes because it lessens the fits, and makes life simpler to live. Should I force him to eat other things? Or should I just let that go and give him what I know he'll eat? He doesnt eat very nutritious things so I give him carnation breakfast drinks in the mornings and that helps a lot.
Anyway, just a question. Thanks guys
deleted_user
deleted_user
I go through the same things at my house. My guys only eat grilled cheese, pizza, french fries, chicken nuggets, cereal bars and waffles, oranges, brocoli, bannanas and grapes. That is it. I don't fight with them about food only because I don't have the energy at the end of the day. When I want them to try new foods I send them to school with a note and have the ot work on the food with them because of all the sensory issues. Try that it will take the pressure off you and maybe he will try it for someone else. Good Luck, and luv ya Denise
deleted_user
deleted_user
My 6 yr old daughter who is not on the spectrum was a very picky eater until recently. My son on the spectrum is also picky so is it autism that makes them picky or just their personality?? Sometimes I have a hard time distinguishing the difference :) When my son tries something new he usually spits it out - I'm just happy that he's willing to give it a try. I'm just hoping the diet will improve with age/maturity.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Paul only eats certain foods as well and will not try anything new. I do not force him to try anything new because it starts a tantrum. His dr's tell me to keep trying with him and maybe he will outgrow it.
deleted_user
deleted_user
i went with the "he will eat when he gets hungry" thing. i t worked with adam. you have to make sure its something that has a similar taste to what he is used to, like chicken nuggets, make chicken any style (no bar-b-que), spaghettie replaces pizza, (no meat) ect. it works with adam. also, i do alternate nights. one night he eats what we call grownup food, the next night its his choice. and on grown up food night, he gets his favorite dessert if he eats atleast half of the meal. when we first started he tried to refused, i ignored him, left his plate on the table, eventually he got hungry and ate and was rewarded. i never let him go hungry, if he flat out refuses to eat then around 7 pm i will make him hot dog, not his favorite food, but he will eat it so its not like he got to eat nuggets and cheetoz!
deleted_user
deleted_user
I think that you giving him the carnation breakfast drinks is a great way to go. If you try letting him get hungry enough, he will get hungry but then seeing the food actually there will cause nausea, so it is best to try to keep him on a regular eating schedule. If he is eating regularly in the first place, he is much more likely to try new foods than if he hasn't eaten in a while. An irregular diet will also cause more bowel problems, which is often a problem in autistic kids and doesn't need to be exacerbated. Also, liquid foods, like the carnation drinks you are giving him, are a lot easier on the sensory system. So I think you are doing a great job.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I can feel your pain, but I've been blessed as far as eating goes with Amber. She'll eat most anything I make for her, and I can get her to eat her veg if I roast them. She even loves seafood.
deleted_user
deleted_user
If he drinks Instant Breakfast. Great. It takes a load off your mind nutritionally. Although our MD suggested alternating Pediasure when DS went on liquids only.

My sister & I both give our ASD boys what they will eat (real food, not candy) & offer what they wont. Weve both learned that we cant force our boys to eat stuff. But they do eventually (it may be months) taste the new stuff that everybody else eats.
We have them eat with us so they can see that we have the new item, put a bit on their plate (or an additional nearby plate if theyre extra fussy) & hope.
deleted_user
deleted_user
We are never happy with how our children eat. Nt or otherwise. I feel my son is fussy, but then I hear form others that it's really not so bad. Recently I have found that if my son sees me eat vege like a snack in fornt of the tele, he will come over and try it. Not eat it mind you, but try it. I'm just happy about that. If figure the more he tries, the greater the possiblity he will actually eat it one day! He used to eat everything before the "autism" set in, I used to brag, and now I worry. It's gotta come full circle again!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Nathan is also very fussy and usually breakfast and lunch he typically eats the same things but for supper I make whatever and then put something on the table that I know he will eat. Usually that is just a piece of bread and then he says all done but I then give him some healthy snack before bed. Also, Nathan is a big dessert guy so if he really wants dessert he has to try a couple of bites of supper.
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