Autism - fussy eater

Shannon - posted on 09/13/2009

I have worked with children with autism before being in child care and sometimes textures or colors can throw them off. I started a "no thank you" helping. That's where I put a spoonful of something new or they may have refused before on their plate. If they don't eat it that's fine. I have found many times after repeated attempts they try it. If they like it that's great if not that's okay too.

Renna - posted on 09/13/2009

know how you feel our 7yr old is the same.I am just starting to wean mitch back onto fruits, he gave up eating nothing but fruit when he was about 2 & started on breads/cereals & ended up with constipation which is still a problem today. good luck to both of us I say!

Raeline - posted on 09/07/2009

That is just like my Alec!!! OMG and your kiddo eats the same foods as my son. I dont have any idea's either,but if I find any that work I'll let you know. If you find some helpful ideas let me know too. My son is on a dairyfree diet though and that took away alot of the foods away that he ate. good luck! ttyl

Lisa - posted on 09/07/2009

Be patient and keep offering something new along side of one of his foods. With my son it's a texture thing. He hates pasta. Pasta of any kind. What kid doesn't eat mac and cheese? Mine! When he was a baby he hated baby food. He wanted real food, so what do you make? You make pasta meals and he ate them when he was very young, but once he was a bit older (4-6) he began to refuse to eat all hot dishes and anything made with pasta. Then he discovered garlic toast. I make it quick and easy by toasting bread and then buttering and sprinkling with garlic salt. We made a deal. He had to eat a small portion of whatever pasta dish I made to get garlic toast and then to get more he has to eat more. Now about the only thing he won't eat is lasagna, which is good in one way because it costs me $30 and a full day to make, but sucks because I love lasagna and can't really make it just for me.

Diana - posted on 09/07/2009

I have 2 kids w/ Asperger's, they are high functioning but they both have food issues. My daughter has always been the pickiest. Early yrs(under 6) she would only eat chic nuggets, Nathans hot dogs, PB& J and beef salami. She is 10 now and some things are the same...every day at lunch...PB&J, chips, red grapes(no green, must be seedless), Juice and 2 cookies(if I have them). At about 8 yrs she began to add pizza and regular chicken breast along w/steamed broccoli.. She won't eat hamburgers and just started to eat chicken sandwiches and steak. I believe it is a texture issue. Salty foods seem to win when they are very young.
The way I added broccoli or any other new food was...I put the same item on her plate...everyday. I don't make her eat it or even try it...just get used to the sight of it on her plate. After a long time, it may be weeks, she gets curious and will attempt to try it. I have had great results because it is her choice, not mine. I let her know how proud I am that she tried it and tell her she might not like it at first but to give it a chance and try it again at a later time...I just keep placing it on her plate.I tell her if she will take 3 bites she won't have to eat anymore at that time and I never force the issue. I will offer butter or sauce if that is what she likes She still won't use ketchup, mustard or sauce on nuggets. She always eats her hot dog plain...just the bun.
My son started different...he ate most anything when he was young and has gotten pickier as he's gotten older...I'm still working on him. He's stubborn!
I hope some of this helps you. Every day is a new endeavor. It's always changing and milestones come at different times.
Good luck! Diana

Jeannette - posted on 09/06/2009

my michael it is all about the textures. he is now 15 and he eats quite abit. none can touch of course but mostly bland foods. the color for him is a issue as well. it must "look" a certian way or be prepared a certian way. (if he see you prepare it). good luck.

Sandra - posted on 09/04/2009

Hi B
Your son eats preety much comparing to my son. just kidding
We had the same problem. My son ate less and chose to eat with less divercity. At last the doctors wanted to feed him trugh tubs and we took some action. We forced him. My husband became the bad guy and I was the good guy. At first he cried and he womit and screemed but we didn´t give up. We didn´t like our option. Today he eats preety much every thing ( but soup). He wont complain and his tests shows that he doesnt need any extra vitamins and so... It´s up to u.. it worked for us..XXX

Jade - posted on 09/04/2009

my son is extremely fussy too and is now losing weight as so hyper all time, he only eats white/light creme coloured food that has a certain texture to it so will have pasta not rice white bread not 50/50 etc, what i do is i give him the food he likes but in a corner add something different, i do ketchup for instance now my son after 3mths of it just being left has started dipping his finger in it and will now try chicken breast with a small bit of bbq sauce or even a little bit of curry with pasta, patience is the key lots and lots of it lol it will take time but keep it up and he may suprise u.