My son is so upset

[Myson6]

My son is 6 he has autism. He's so anxious he does not want to eat because he says he's fat. He's not, He's slight build and slim. I told him that he's not fat and he's really fantastic and that we all love him. And that he needs to eat so he can be healthy. Then his eyes filled with tears and he said no one understands.

Then he told me that he's scared of being 7. But he did not say much about that . He then said that the teachers at school do not want him to cry . I explained to him that its because they want you to be happy and not sad . Because they care about you.

I know that when he struggles at school becomes emotional etc that he gos for a walk with the TA and they talk about his feelings etc. He gets lots of hugs and time together at home even his younger brother tells him how much he loves him. Looks after him in the playground.

He is being looked after in school its a lovely school.

I just feel so sad for him that he has so much on his mind

Has someone said to him that he's going to be a big boy once he's 7, and he's taken it literally? Or any other changes associated with turning 7 that he thinks he can avoid by not getting big?

I can't really help but it sounds like he doesn't want to grow older so maybe that's why he doesn't want to eat? I think lots of chats about turning 7, reassurance about it and exploring why he's scared? I could be totally off the mark though, so take my comment with a pinch of salt.

Sorry, just reread. I see he is getting lots of chats etc.

When I was little I worried about growing out of my clothes and how would I fit into them so we could go to get new ones and I'd have to go shopping naked. My older son said he was going on a diet and it turned out that he didn't want to be heavier than the maximum weight for his younger brother's newly acqured ride in toy police car. My younger son worried about being sucked down the plughole in the bath. I just showed him my hand couldn't get sucked down the plughole and he was much bigger than my hand so he'd definitely not be sucked down the plughole. I'd try to get to the bottom of the worry by encouraging him to explain to you exactly why he thinks he is fat.

Senco at school just called me. They have noticed he's more emotional as well . And thinking as he's getting older he's starting to realise he can't do what the other children can do. It's also SATs in year 2 which would unsettle him. Although he's not made to do it.

Before he used to give things ago for example if he was meant to put a missing letter in a word He would draw a picture of a car instead. But he did not understand that was wrong but now he's starting to so its upsetting him a bit. So he's starting to refuse to do things .

They also said he's stated giggling to himself which they think is a masking thing.

Anyway seems they have noticed as well. Which is good.