ASD, dd and eating

[sunshine175]

I just wondered if anyone had any experience of eating issues in ASD girls? DD has been referred to eating disorders team. Not because she has an eating disorder - she knows she is too thin but has a hard time eating when anxious which is most of the time. We are following advice to make her food high calorie and avoiding healthy eating messages

...as they said if she becomes obsessed about healthy eating she will end up in hospital. Has anyone else been in this situation?

Hi, I'm not sure how helpful this might be as we are in a slightly different situation. DD (4, just diagnosed with ASD) has been tube fed for a mix of reasons for 2.5 years. Part of the reason was an aversion to eating/drinking; although she is still largely tube fed, the goal is to eventually transition to 100% oral eating. Much of the reason this is so far not happening is anxiety and control related, so the current goal is to relax around food as much as posisble. She eats a million times better if left alone with a DVD or something, to switch off and take the focus off food and the expectations of eating. Hardly ideal, but for now I'll take it to gradually increase the variety and amount that goes in. Other things we've been advised/worked out from common sense that I'm sure you also know are keep portion sizes realistic, work out any sensory elements and particular triggers, involve child as much as developmentally possible in preparation/choosing etc. It's such a minefield; hope someone has some more advice!

Thanks Amymouse. The psychiatrist has said there is a link between and and eating disorders. She is not allowed to do any running etc. until she puts more weight on. I think when she's anxious (most of the time) she can't face food but I think it is probably sensory related. I just want to keep her out of hospital. We are trying to be really low key about it but it is hard