Autistic 2 1/2 year old won't use cutlery or eat finger foods.

[amy90]

Wasn't sure where to put this, so I've decided to post it to a few and see what happens.

My son is 2 and a half with suspected autism. (I'm currently trying to have him screened, but nobody seems to be listening to my concerns. Me and my whole family know that he is different and are trying to get help.)

I've tried sitting and eating with him, I've guided his hands, I've tried putting things in his hands, I've tried cutting stuff up, not cutting stuff up, putting tiny bits in his mouth, singing, dancing, ignoring him and eat mine to see if he copies, leaving him on his own for half an hour to see if he does anything, tv on, tv off, I don't know what else to do. The only finger foods he will eat are: toast, apple cut into very specific shapes, and malted milk biscuits. He won't touch anything else. He won't even pick up any of the cutlery. I've also tried just putting food infront of him with no cutlery to see if he will eventually have a go with his hands, still nothing.

I know it sounds pathetic, but this is really starting to upset me now. I've tried everything. I feel bad for taking his dinner away because I know he's hungry, but I really don't want to spoon feed him anymore when I know that he is MORE than capable of feeding himself. & if I cave in and spoon feed him, I feel like he'll never learn to do it himself.
I don't know what to do.

[EYPEdinburgh]

How is he at drinking?

Maybe giving him drinking yoghurt, vegetable juice, soups etc will help, at least he's getting something nutritious, and hes not technically eating, he's drinking them.

Also try only serving one thing at a time, it may be a case of too much on offer that he gets confused what to touch first.

Hope this helps.

[naty1]

How is his chewing?
I give raisins, cheese, cucumber, melon, banana peas sweetcorn.
What about playing with playdoh, does he not like the feel of things?
Will he play with playfood?
Do you pinch food off his tray?
It sounds like he doesnt like the feel of foods.
Is he a get messy child playing in mud, hands dirty child or quite clean?

[gamerchick]

Tbh I gave in in the end. My 7 yr old will only eat if I feed him mashed up food. No lumps, no strong flavours or anything brightly coloured and other stuff I'm not thinking of. He simply will not chew stuff.. He hates the feel of food in his mouth.

Every year during school holidays I try him again with cutlery and none mashed up stuff.. its one of the things his doctor just isn't interested in as he's well nourished.

I think I will do back flips when he finally gets it.

I really would try not to let it get to you as long as he does eat in general. Tackle it last type of thing if it's no problem, It's hard enough going through assessment.

[naty1]

Gamerchick what does he do at school? Do you pack lunches?

[gamerchick]

No unfortunately, the only things he would eat in a packed lunch they take issue with.

I pay for dinners and he picks out odds and ends.. He can use a spoon for some things now and they'll give him double helpings of yogurt or a bowl of chips which is one of the things he'll eat if he refuses what's on offer. I was hoping sitting with the other kids would spur him on.

He gets a good breakfast and I feed him at 4 to make up for it and then something for supper later. Then obviously fish oils and multi vits.

Pain in the arse but you have to keep trying them out.

[helsbels03]

I would let him eat what he wants, and introduce 1 new food at a time, something with a similar texture and smell. What is he Luke with other sensitivities- labels on clothes? Socks gave to be on perfectly? Walking barefoot on carpet/ wooden floors etc. write everything down for when you next see your dr. Ask if there is an ASC early years support programme you can be referred to.

[Lynds25]

He has autism hun