ASD and food ....

[Peppapigisnotmyname]

My DS is 9 and has a diagnosis of high functioning ASD. He's in ms school and is statemented with 20 hours support a week.

He's coping OK, needless to say we've had our ups and downs....

Recently at school they've covered healthy eating. DS is very slim and was already conscious of what he was eating. Now however, he started worrying about salt content in food and calories. He refuses anything remotely unhealthy. He's loves ice cream but won't eat it now. Chocolate or sweets etc are a big no no. He would eat around 6-7 apples a day if I let him and the dentist has now said we need to liming fruit due to the acidic effect on his teeth.

He just won't listen to me saying everything in moderation. I've shown him the bmi chart and where he is on it (well within normal limits) and I've spoken to school and outlined my worries ie he may develope an eating disorder and they have tried to reinforce the everything in moderation message too. But he's so literal! I don't want a anorexic autistic DS!!!

How difficult I wish schools would be a bit more aware about stuff like this.

It sounds like you need a new set of rules and possibly something to direct the anxiety in the opposite direction - maybe dig out some factual info on the dangers of not eating enough calories / salt / fat etc? If he won't believe you, maybe get the teacher to give him the same information?

Point out that school often have these 'rules' about not eating sweets eg in packed lunches but they only apply in school time and they are for a specific purpose, ie because some families only give their children unhealthy food.

Also some real-life evidence might help - eg point out people you know who are healthy, yet eat 'unhealthy' food in moderation. If you know someone who has lived to a ripe old age with a penchant for choc ices, that would be a good example!

This kind of thing happens with Dd3 too. Not so much with food because it isnt an issue for her anyway.

What ever someone at school says is set in stone and is always the gospel truth and nothing I say can change her mind.

A stupid teacher told the class that all water was dinosaur wee once !! Dd3 said she was never going to drink water again and she already forgets to drink!!

I am watching with interest to see if anyone had a suggestion to solve this other than gagging the teachers who cant engage their brains before opening their gobs !!

Good luck

I wonder if this is an extreme example of the obsessiveness and anxiety that is so common with HFA children?

If you are anxious he will pick up on this and worry more about it. Try to detach from his worry.

Could you use a Food Pyramid- showing that treat things are allowed, in small quantites.

Or, as with any food avoiders, introduce a small amount on to his plate, insist its sits there, moving on to in his mouth etc etc