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Son's eating habits

4 replies

yorkshirepuddddiiing · 30/11/2020 20:39

am really anxious and hoping for some reassurance, positive stories, tips, advice, anything really!

My son is 3 and potentially autistic though he is yet to be assessed. His teachers seem to be in agreement that he almost certainly is and I am inclined to agree.

I'm so stressed and worried about his eating habits.

He still drinks a lot of milk and prefers this over food. I always try and persuade him to eat food before milk but meltdowns and lack of communication/understanding make it very difficult. I don't want to make an issue out of milk when it is the most nutritious thing he has.

Best case is that he will eat a few bites here and there of things like dry cereal, toast, sandwich, pizza, chips, nuggets, very occasionally apples and strawberries, crackers, breadsticks. Very plain and not nutritious.

Worst case days are that he will only drink milk.

He is putting on weight as expected for his age, is wearing age 3-4 clothes that fit well. He looks healthy, clear skin, bright eyes, gets plenty of sleep and full of energy.

I know a child with autism really can be a force to be reckoned with especially where food is concerned so I don't like to push the issue too much with him. I don't ever let him see my stress and worry. But I can't shake this feeling that long term he is making himself unhealthy and it could potentially cause problems down the line with his health.

I am trying to look on the bright side and think of the bigger picture, he is doing well with toilet training, his language is improving and he has settled into school nursery well.

Eating just doesn't seem to be getting any better, worse if anything!

Does anyone have any similar experiences or ideas that might help me?

OP posts:
StillMedusa · 30/11/2020 20:48

My DS2 has autism and I have been working with autistic children for 16 years... and honestly after some of the diets I have seen... if your son has the odd bite of fruit and some sort of protein... he's doing better than many!!!
Honestly! the dry /beige food preference is SO familiar and some of the kids have the worst diets ever ..and yet thrive, grow and seem to have boundless energy. If you can keep offering other foods (remember it can take about 100 offerings for a neurotypical child to accept it, let alone one with ASD) then in the long run.. he'll be fine.. and if in doubt sneak in a childs gummy multi vitamin!

My son ate only one fruit (apple..core, stalk and all) until he was 21... at 22 we managed to add in pears ! 3 core meals for most of his life... but he's 23, 6ft, healthy..... and other than a few absolute no nos (anything he thinks is 'slimy'.. fish, mushrooms, eggs to name but a few, his diet has gradually improved over the years.

Please don't get too stressed about it.. it isn't worth it... just keep offering. At least with milk and the odd strawberry he is getting some nutrition .. and chances are he will widen is choices..eventually!

(My eldest..also on the spectrum, ate nothing but white food for a year... that was quite challenging.. but she too survived!)

yorkshirepuddddiiing · 30/11/2020 21:00

Thank you so much Smile

OP posts:
KindergartenKop · 30/11/2020 21:44

Can you give him one of those milkshakes with extra vitamins etc. I think there's an adult one called complain.

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yorkshirepuddddiiing · 30/11/2020 21:45

@KindergartenKop

Can you give him one of those milkshakes with extra vitamins etc. I think there's an adult one called complain.
Good idea! Will look into what's available for kids Smile
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