For those with an autistic child...does your child only eat a handful of foods?

Question

My 4 year old, very autistic, son only has a small number of foods he eats. And he'll only eat tiny quantities of those. I know this is very common in autism, but I was wondering if there are any people on YA that are dealing with this now or have dealt with it in the past.

BTW...if your child's eating habits have improved, were you able to do that by yourself or did it take therapy?

Answer 1

that is common----

it can be addresses behavioral as well as throguh sensory motor therapy...

there are specialized feeding clinics that can help...

Answer 2

It is exteremely common.  Generally, it relates to the taste, texture and composition of the foods.  As you know, there are often multiple sensory issues with kids on the spectrum and food choice can certainly be affected by it.  Getting kids on the spectrum to expand their diets can be challanging and generally takes a lot of time and patience.  My son has expanded his food choices over the past year or so, but only with a few things.

First, start off with what they do like.  Is it chicken nuggets?  Any nuggets or only one brand?  If they are brand loyal, try to introduce a new brand...one small piece at a time.  Every time you prepare nuggets, prepare one extra of the new brand and include a piece on the plate.  If they even try it, reward them with praise.  (If your son responds well to other forms of reinforcement, you may want to apply them here as well..stickers, building towards a reward of some sort, etc.).  Once they actually eat the piece, give a larger piece of a second small piece and keep going.  Once they eat a whole nugget of the new brand, add in another nugget to the meal and so on until they are willing to eat either one.  It may seem slow and arduous..and it is...but once you get them moved past a single brand, it can make new foods easier.

If they will eat any brand, but only certain foods...again I use chicken nuggets..find similar foods to try to introduce.  Like a small piece of baked chicken breast.  Do the same thing,,,include a small piece along with the accepted food, praise them for trying it and reward them accordingly.  Once they eat it, increase the amounts, alongside the other accepted food until you can serve either alone.

A lot of kids on the spectrum are not fond of fruits and veggies.  These are often the hardest to get them to try and adapt to as well.  Start wil something simple...slices of apples, applesauce..and again, serve single bits with accepted food.  Once they accept it, move on to something else.  Often times, sending new foods into school can help as many autistic kids are more willing to try new things in school than they are iat home!  My son will only eat banans or applesauce at home, but at school he'll eat peaches, watermelon, carrots and other things.  I pack up enough for the class to have for snack and know he is at least getting some of what he should have.

In the end, you are not going to be able to force your child to eat something he doesn't want to.  It is generally not worth the battle to even try.  Supplements are important..multi-vitamins, Carnation breakfast drink mix, anything you can find or your doc recommends as a way to get the needed nutrients in in a way your child will accept is perfectly ok.

My last bit of advice...if your son seems to be uncomfortable or in discomfort after eating, has any problems with bowel movements or is unable to keep down certain foods, I would recommend talking with your pediatrician about allergy testing.  Many kids on the spectrum has food allergies/sensitivities that while they may be mild to you or I..upset tummy after ice cream, a rush to the restroom after certain foods, etc..are overwhelming to them.  Additionally, if your child is having trouble gaining weight, you may want to talk to your peditrician about testing for Fragile X.  Fragile X is a genetic disorder that produces symptoms very similar to autism, but often has dietary issues (specifically in digestion and nutrient absorption) along with them.  Fragile X can be tested by a blood draw and while it will not change the outcome or "cure" the autism, it can help find a dietary plan the child responds to.