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Eating others' food but not her own?

Molly - posted on 03/09/2009 ( 2 moms have responded )

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I have a 12 year old girl who has ADHD. She takes focalin and it is pretty effective. We've had issues with impulsivity but something new has come up. She will eat off of other people's plates but not her own. If her 2 year old sister leaves food left over she will eat it off of her plate rather than her own. My two year old will put food in her mouth and if it's too hot, she takes too much or whatever she'll spit it back on her plate. Why would my 12 year old want to eat spitty food over the same thing that's on her plate sans spit? She's also been going to the kitchen and getting whatever she wants to eat without asking. We have had a rule in our house that if it's not a meal time you have to ask. She has done well with that for the last 3 years until now. We do not limit the amount of food she eats, just the quality. What is going on? Anyone else having this problem?

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Molly - posted on 03/10/2009

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47

Same exact food, prepared the same way, served on the same pattern of paper plate. I do not cut hers up but really that is the only difference. I think I will try that, cutting her food for her. This is why I find it so bizarre. She has been diagnosed and on meds for 4 years now with the most recent med change being 1.5 years ago. Thanks Phyllis for your imput. I think I will try to cut her food for her and put it in the freezer like I do my two year old's food.

Phyllis - posted on 03/09/2009

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Im going to assume that the food you are feeding her is prepared slightly differently than that of a 2yr old, even if the food itself is the same. Maybe try cutting up her food as you would the younger childs...something like that. My son has a problem with food textures...he wont eat hamburger for example because he doesnt like the way it feels. He prefers smooth stuff like mashed potatoes. Perhaps she likes the pattern on the younger ones plate (assuming you use kiddie plates for the younger) over her more grownup plate. Has she recently been diagnosed? If so, maybe she feels she is being treated differently now and is trying to find something in common witht the rest of the family. Just a few ideas, I hope something works....

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