|
|
|
|
| Name: sue | Date: Mar 4th, 2006 1:51 PM |
| read post right before yours. ↑ |
| Name: Kelly R | Date: Mar 15th, 2006 5:52 AM |
| Hi Julie, I know how frustrating it can be trying to feed or do some of the most basic things with an autistic child. I have a 5 year old son who has been diagnosed with high functioning aspergers however I have in my search for answers met so many people and am now a member of various support groups. If your son is severely autistic some of the best advice I can give you (and this is not easy at times) is to remember that he is not trying to upset you and that if you give constant positive reinforcement to him things will get better. Autistic kids are often tactile and taste sensitive, so certain textures in their food (as well as certain fabrics in clothing) can affect them in a negative way. That is probably why you have had success with mashed vegetable and also the KFC. They are tasty but require little chewing for him and are not too lumpy. Also autistic kids do thrive on "routine" so by giving him the chips it is part of his routine, so to just exit them from his diet would be too much change all at once. When you feed him does he try to feed himself either with another spoon or with his hands? I know it is messy to let them join in, but sometimes this can encourage the positive side of food to him and he may want to explore other tastes and textures. Try to remember that a little mess at the table and on the floor is very normal for any kids and if he is using his hands, "So what" praise him for being such a big boy and being so good with his dinner. no one knows what you are going through except you with your little boy and it is often hard to know whether you are doing it right or not. Many people especially those who have not had to deal with a special needs child don't realise the difficult ongoing task you have being a parent of an autistic child. Do you have any other children or any support (e.g your parents)? and does your little boy eat any other foods for other people? e.g if he goes to grandparents house and eatssoemthing there that he doesn't have at home maybe you try introducing that food at home. Does he go to school or is he high dependancy? As his carers and teachers may also know of some tricks. I am also going to post some gluten free recipes here for you, I am just about to take my sons to swim class (another fantastic therapy for autistic kids - as well as non-autistic kids) the water is so calming and therapuetic for them, I highly reccomend it. Hopefully you will receive this response and if you do let me know so I can post the recipes to you (i have a friend with Crones disease and she is not able to eat any gluten products she has some great recipes). I hope things get easier for you and look forward to hearing how you are going. Kelly R Australia ↑ |
| Name: jen | Date: Apr 20th, 2006 7:01 PM |
| train him to eat healthy and tell him its good for him ↑ |
| Name: Kelly Richardson | Date: Apr 26th, 2006 3:21 AM |
| Hi Julie, I hope you have had some success with your little boy. How are his language skills going? Does he communicate much verbally? One thing it is good to remember with kids is something I learned when I was a younger person. Australian, English and American parents seem to have more trouble teaching their kids to eat healthy because we tell our kids they "have to eat this or that because it is good for them" in Europe they simply say "here, eat this it is good" rather than the way we say "here, eat this because it is good for you". Anyway I hope you are going well and that you have some support with your boy. Kind regards Kelly Richardson Victoria Australia ↑ |
| Name: Jenny | Date: May 10th, 2006 1:08 AM |
| Dear Julie, I feel for you and can completely relate to you, my daughter is much the same, she only eats one cereal in the mornings and through out the day will only eat chips and maybe fish fingers (but not always), the only fruit she will eat are banannas and with the cyclones in North Queensland it is now impossible to get these in the shop here in Australia. Have you tried some scrambled egg or pancakes (I have a great gluten free recipe for pancakes if you would like me to send it to you). Remember to give him a multi vitamin - there are several chewable ones on the market just keep trying different ones till you find the one he like the taste of best. Also give him a chewable calcium and a vitamin c supplement. I have all of my kids now taking "Incremin" which is an iron supplement, it isn't the greatest tasting, but they only need 5ml once a day, this helps the blood to carry oxygen and also increases their appetites. Give it a go and let me know how you go, I will check back into the site to see if you log back in and will leave my email address next visit (I am updating my email and will be changing address soon). Good luck and stay happy. Jenny ↑ |
| Name: lilstacey76 | Date: Jun 5th, 2008 6:40 PM |
| Hi Julie, I have a 4 yr. old autustic boy with terrible eating habits. I mean they are bad. He only eats crunchy foods like chips, crackers and cookies. The only thing he eats that isn't crunchy is yogurt and sometimes he will eat chicken nuggets and french fries. I constantly worry about his health because, how could he possibly be healthy when he eats so pourly. Vitamin supplements aren't an option either because he won't eat them. If you get any info that you think might help me, PLEASE pass it on. Stacey M. ↑ |
