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Name: lisa
[ Original Post ]
my 6 yr old daughter is autistic. i am having a very difficult time with her eating habits and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions or an autistic child of your own with the same issues. i know that autistics are known to have problems with eating and only like certain foods. i give my child a multivitamin everyday but am concerned that is not enough. somedays she seems to eat well then others, eats nothing if she can't have her fixation such as french fries for example.
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Name: julia | Date: Dec 28th, 2005 7:23 PM
i would just go with what works...my 2 1/2 yr old has to eat the same stuff everyday or he's not pleasant or won't eat. i used to be concerned with what he ate..now i'm just happy that he eats at all...and has started to try new textures. as long as your daughter is healthy don't rock the boat...or you could use the "fixation" foods to help her try new ones---sometimes if you just put the food around them and walk away they'll actually try it. they like to do things when THEY want to do it. 

Name: lisa | Date: Dec 28th, 2005 8:49 PM
thanks for your input Julia. i had forgotten to add that my child is off the growth chart for head, height and weight. she has been on steroids since she was 2 for asthma. the doctors are concerned about her size. the problem is she really does go days it seems without eating if it is not what she wants. textures, smells, condiments, just the simplest thing will throw her off from eating . then if i make her try something new she usually gags and dry heaves. i guess i can only hope the vitamins are doing some good. 

Name: julia | Date: Dec 29th, 2005 4:48 PM
you poor thing. I really feel for you. if you ever need to vent or just want to chat with someone in the same boat feel free to email me at [email protected] would love to hear from you, make sure you put "autism mom" in subject so i'll know its ok to open. Good Luck! 

Name: Jeannie | Date: Jan 12th, 2006 12:09 AM
I have a 4 year old autistic daughter. Her diet is very limited because of problems
with textures and smells. I worry about her all the time but I have had some reassurance by her pedeatritian. If she's running around, playing and laughing then she must be getting what she needs. 

Name: Kimba Wiggins | Date: Jan 22nd, 2006 3:44 PM
I was accused of starving my kid because he was underweight. I wasn't doing that. He refused to eat and force feeding him was out of the question. There were some days where he wouldn't eat at all. I tried everything to get him to eat regularly. I even took him off cow's milk because it gave him "the runs." he would cram food into his mouth all at once, nearly choking a couple of times. I'm glad to say, that's no longer a problem. 

Name: javeri | Date: Jan 25th, 2006 1:30 AM
my 4 yr son is an autistic child.i give vitamin B6,vitamin C,magnesium and omega 3 & 6.these are really helpful. 


Name: chris | Date: Feb 1st, 2006 7:02 PM
I have the same problem with my 7 year old autistic son. He eats only coco wheats for breakfast and the rest of the day includes french fries, fish sticks and salt/vinegar chips. He will drink some milk and drink fruit juice. I give him a multi-vitamin and a veggie vitamin from GNC. He's in the appropriate weight /height group for his age. I know what you are going through. 

Name: Ali | Date: Feb 3rd, 2006 5:12 AM
Hi there,
My Son has had eating problems from the very start. He is now three and has been diagnosed with autism. He has so many sensory issues. He will go literally a week to a week and a half without eating anything at all. He gets obsessed about a particular food such as fruit juice snacks and this is all he will eat. He swallows most of his food and rarely chews it. He only likes very hot and spicy foods. We have to put hot pepper on most everything! My husband and I are so worried. From 2-3 years he has only gained half a pound. I am probably going to hire a nutritionist to come to our home, maybe get some ideas. My Son use to pretty much eat everything because of his lack of telling us no. I find it sad. Well, just thought I would send my experience your way to say that your not alone. It seems that this is a very common problem for many with children who have autism. Best of luck. 

Name: shirley | Date: Feb 22nd, 2006 6:00 AM
this is not what im looking for change it immediately 

Name: Danielle | Date: Mar 10th, 2006 4:21 AM
my 5yr old is autistic... up until a month ago he would only eat bread, pizza, plain cheeseburgers, soft taco's, potato chips, pretzels, and oreo cookies... now he will only eat bread..... and has gone from a nice solid/thick body structure to this skin& bone child... who looks like he came from an add for Cambodia. My entire extended family as well as his teachers and wrap-around feel he is too skinny. I don't know what to do.... i can't force feed him, I am taking him to his regular pediatrician but don't know what he can do either. I need help before he melts away to nothing. 

Name: jerseygirl | Date: Mar 20th, 2006 8:42 PM
I had the same problem with my stepson for years. I found that taking him out of routine to try new foods really helped. He would not try new foods at his house, because there he expected the same every day. At my house I insisted he eat whatever I was serving everyone else, making sure there was always something at least slightly familiar on the plate (not his favorites, but familiar) after about 3 weekends of battles and dry gagging etc. He began finding something on his plate at every meal that he was willing to try. Within a month or 2 of weekends we had real success and now (7 years later ) he eats anything he is given without arguement. Also, try the "to get A you have to eat B approach. If you want your chicken nuggets, you need to at least try the broccoli. Part of the problem with dealing with autism is that they often will not outgrow these habits like the average child would. The habits they have now will often last a lifetime. Good luck, I know how difficult this is. 

Name: sharron hogan | Date: Mar 20th, 2006 9:31 PM
my son is five years old I just found out that he has a mild case of autism, when I try to get him to eat it takes me about and hour just to eat one serving of some thing my email is [email protected] 

Name: OyaD | Date: Mar 30th, 2006 5:26 PM
My son is two, and he is going through autism assessment - they just don't know what level it is yet, but I hear you on the food thing. It's incredibly frustrating, as he fixates on a food, eats that for a week and a half straight, then goes off it and I spend several days wracking my brain to figure out what he's eating this week. Multivitamins work, and giving lots and lots of praise when he DOES eat is good. If he refuses a meal, I leave the plate there until he's willing to try things, and nine times out of ten he'll at least have a few tastes. I also give him plenty of snacks during the day, and thankfully he loves fruit.

He's okay weight wise though he can sometimes go down a bit in weight if he's feeling poorly - I tend to switch to Gurnesy milk after he's been ill to help the weight come back on.

Don't forget to eat yourself! We all tend to get so tired of trying to get our children to eat we just pop something quick in the oven and don't pay attention to our own dietary needs. When all else fails, my sprog will eat whatever is on mummy's or daddy's plates, so if we're eating healthy, we carry on that example and a few bites of our healthy dinners is at least better than nothing.

I'm still reeling from the diagnosis myself, but I'm breathing a huge sigh of relief knowing I'm not the only one going through this and it doesn't make me a bad mum. 

Name: lisa | Date: Apr 4th, 2006 2:06 PM
Good Morning to everyone. I would like to say thanks for all of the feedback and support that everyone has offerred on my topic. My daughter is doing some better with eating. To "JerseyGirl" , you were right, I use the A to B tactic all the time with my daughter and it works. It has taken me almost 6 yrs but now she is starting to get tired of her own food ruts and is interested in trying different foods. I have found that simply presenting the same foods over and over again eventually works, granted it has taken me several years but it has been worth the wait. I was so excited to see her actually enjoy eating spagetti last week!! yeah!! Good Luck to everyone and thanks again. lisa 

Name: DK | Date: Apr 20th, 2006 4:25 AM
I just stared a new topic entitled "autistic kids". I shared in there a brand of products my autistic daughter loves and can eat all day long. It called "just". If you go to www.justtomatoes.com, you will find hundreds of mostly fruits and vegtables in a freezed dried form which does not remove the nutrients. All the snacks are crunchy, except for the raisons which are huge and so good for you. My daughter loves all of this food and the only ingrediant in the foods is "just" the food. Just strawberries, just blueberries, just mango, just banana, just raisons, just apples. My pediatrician said it's brilliant. You just have to make sure she gets a little protien from somewhere. My dauhter drinks milk and also likes blueberry bran muffins from the health food store (no real sugar, just fruit sugar). I give her a vitamin and thats it. I'm not going to make food an issue...but she does have to eat. The food issue is so hard, and I always try and introduce new things. Every day, I know I am wasting my time and the food but I make her different things, and she NEVER will taste them. She won't even touch them and she gets mad that I put it in front of her. 

Name: Rhonda | Date: May 1st, 2006 12:37 AM
My son is almost 4 years old and he was diagnosed with PDD very early. I am at my wits end trying to get him to eat. He only eats fish sticks, hot dogs, mac n cheese, and dry fruit loops...he drinks milk constantly. I have tried and tried to give him vitamins, but he absolutely refuses. There is no breaking it up and putting it in his food, he eats nothing that is mushy enough to do so. I know he is not getting the proper nutrition and worry what it is doing to his body...someone help...please. 

Name: Amy | Date: May 8th, 2006 9:03 PM
French fries (HOT only), yogurt drinks (strawberry Yumsters only), chicken nuggets (but only the outside of the nugget), pizza, grapes. I think that's all she eats. She is 5 and she is more on the aspergers spectrum. Lately it seems most of the time you have to remind her to eat, when it's right infront of her. 

Name: Lynne | Date: May 9th, 2006 4:42 PM
I would check with your doctor and make sure that your daughter is growing at a reasonable rate and is healthy. That is my main concern with my son. He's a picky eater but he's growing/healthy and that's all that matters. He won't try new foods either. Sometimes they have feeding programs at school where they expose them to new foods - you can try this. You control what you can. Some people also try the ABA approach of you can't have (whatever your daughter likes) until you try .....As a mother, I find this difficult to do. Whatever you have the strength for... 

Name: chinggay | Date: May 10th, 2006 9:42 AM
i have a 10 yr old autistic nephew...for us filipinos we love to eat rice but he refused to eat. he only like fried dishes... chicken ( skin most of the time ), french fries, nuggets, fish fillet....doesnt like vegetables and fruits... we made a deal whenever he will eat even 2 spoon of rice he will allow him to play computer for 1 extra hr (he plays 2 hrs a day), 3 spoons, he can sing karaoke... i think u can make a deal with your children to eat 

Name: jody | Date: Jun 4th, 2006 5:36 AM
im getting my 6 year old evaluated right now but i think something is not right she does the same thing she will pick a food or certain drink and stick to it.she will pick cereal and and want it 6 times a day nothing else she will not try new foods.its either cereal,grill cheese,mashed potato or italian those are her favorites.i dont know how to get her on other things any suggestions? 

Name: Belinda | Date: Jun 13th, 2006 7:15 AM
i have 4 children, now teens/young adult, eating has always been a problem for them all with 2 in particularly difficult. i tried sitting them down at the table for family meals etc but gave that up for years, it became more important that they ate something, not where or who with....family mealtimes are very difficult for anyone with autism....its such a sensory overload....it gets better though...i have found that over the years as they learn and understand more about themselves they are willing to try new foods. my youngest son, now 17 still wont eat any kind of cooked veg, pork, lamb, fish but does eat fruit, cereals, dairy, chicken and a little beef. ...he is a healthy lad, 6ft 3 and still growing! its very worrying when they refuse to eat....i tried smoothies, adding in vits, freezing them sometimes makes them more appealing too....that can work for a while...best of luck... 

Name: jane | Date: Jun 20th, 2006 2:58 AM
Hi Lisa, I have a son who is 3 and a half and only eats either bread and butter or weetabix for breakfast. He only eats tin spagetti or ravioli or chips for his dinner. He is very selective with what he eats. He wont eat fruit but eats yogurt with strawberry in. Before he eats anything he hasnt seen before he smells it. He likes crisp and sultanas but I dont know of anything else I can give him that he will eat. Up to 16 months he only ate tin baby food pumpkin & sweetcorn & custard. All I do now is try to introduce foods to him slowly or mix together with something he like. It works sometimes and other times it doesnt so its just a waiting game that I never give up. 

Name: jeanic | Date: Dec 21st, 2008 11:10 PM
Have you ever heard of The Eating Game? Find out more information at www.theeatinggame.ca . This could be the solution you've been looking for! 

Name: There IS Hope | Date: Jul 14th, 2009 4:07 AM
Hi. I work in a school district, as a special-education paraprofessional. I have been blessed to care for and help many different children of various ages, with a variety of challenges. I recently listened to / watched a woman share her incredible story of raising a son with autism. It touched me deeply. Her son was healed, a few years back, and continues to improve in his schooling. I ordered her book and found so much hope in her experience. Hope that applies to everyone, including families with autism but not limited to only autism. My heart goes out to all. If anyone is interested in the details of the book and the radio / t.v. program, please e-mail me at [email protected]. (Since it is my understanding that some things cannot be posted.) With excitement, encouragement, and heart-felt appreciation and compassion to every family touched by especially autism...There IS Hope. 

Name: jstepmom | Date: Jun 23rd, 2010 3:11 AM
Im a stepmom of an autistic boy(3yrs.old) & he only seems to eat oatmeal,mcdonalds chicken nuggets&fries,cheeto puffs,pizza rolls,& he will only drink milk from a rubber tip sippy cup,sprite from a paper cup,&bottled water. Does anyone have any tips to include veggies & fruit?
Ive read the fixation of texture & color(beige foods). & tips for potty training,he's wearing pull ups. 

Name: Robert Herbert | Date: Jul 17th, 2010 11:53 AM
I CURED MY SON OF AUTISM. HE WAS DIAGNOSED SEVERELY AUTISTIC AT AGE 2 1/2. I HAVE WRITTEN AN EBOOK EXPLAINING ALL OF THE NATURAL, ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES THAT CURED MY SON. PLEASE VISIT MY SITE www.howtocureautismnaturally.com 

Name: chibs007 | Date: Sep 19th, 2010 7:13 PM
Hi, my name is Marlene Gomez and I am a Developmental psychologist and Pediactric Occupational Therapist. I've work for a long time with peaky eaters, both neurotypical, within the autim spectrum or with several other medical conditions.
My tip is to choose your battles. Don't try to go from peaky eating to a normal eater in a few months. Try a group of foods at a time (and please dont start with the hard ones!, I know you all want them to eat veggies, but that is like winning Waterloo).
Feel free to write to me Lisa, if you still need help. I will be delighted to help. [email protected] 

Name: bus | Date: Jan 12th, 2011 7:57 PM
15 year old, very bad gas pains, constantly Toots, sometimes says its hard to Toot, always been gassy, anyway to help relieve/release the gas? 

Name: julinas5 | Date: Jan 14th, 2011 10:05 PM
i need some one to talk to 

Name: curt | Date: Feb 23rd, 2011 6:47 PM
just joined forum.... reading some of these I am in disbelief!!!!! I have a 3 year old step grandson just recent addition to my family due to marriage and I cant believe the mother or some of the things that are said in here. I know I am new at this but.....really just let them eat nuggets and fries cause that is all they will eat!!!! The mother of my step grandson like many are to blame and have taken no interest or care if all they do and i have seen it toss a plate of nuggets down in front of the child and basically walk away. And now that is just a standard. So just like everyone else who eats unhealthy and has health issues later on in life intestinal,cardio, etc. its because doing whatever just works. And cures for autism...really...please is there anyone with any sense out there. 

Name: my dee dee | Date: Feb 24th, 2011 4:22 AM
my lil one is a very picky eater she will be 3 in april she use to eat chicken macaroni now its bananas apple sauce her gerber snacks yogurt pancakes sometimes i buy pedisure chcolate drinks for the vitamins shes missing plus her multivitamin . i suggest anyone out their with a picky eater to buy pedisure its loaded with vitamins comes in vanilla strawberry chocolate my lil one loves the chocolate 

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