High functioning ASD and food obsession

[davyatsea]

Hi there, DS, aged 10 was diagnosed with high functioning ASD earlier this year, something that we are all learning to accept as a family. One thing that concerns me is his obsession with food. After a decent evening meal, he will insist on a large amount of snacks, before bedtime. While I accept this as part of ASD, I am concerned about the level of weight gain. Last night, for dinner, DS had jacket potato with butter, cheese and 1/2 tin of beans, along with a tin of spaghetti and sausages. An hour later he had a tin of rice pudding, 6,yoghurt frubes, a munch bunch yoghurt, and chocolate. He was clearly hungry and ate the whole lot. This is not unusual for most evenings. Due to his anxiety issues, along with a fiery temper, both Dw and I let him have all this food (total calories 1700) for an easy life. I am not sure how to help with this and reduce his calorie intake without him shouting the house down. Please can anyone help with this, as I am very concerned with this.

Also. With DS, he has been prescribed propanol to help with anxiety issues, but he is resistant at times and needs prompting to take the tablets - stating that it makes no difference. We can clearly see a difference when he hasn't taken them.

We had thought about OT for DS to look at sensory issues. DD also has Dx of PDA and has seen private OT due to lengthy waiting list for NHS. Could be worth revisiting OT for DS as well.

Biggest problem is that both kids are used to high calorie snakes being around the house. Would be a shock if these snacks suddenly become not available, but something worth looking at.

Many thanks everyone- some good ideas here, and definitely looking at OT to look at sensory issues.

Clicked on this thread because DS (13,ASD, anxiety) has issues with food - he is very rigid about what he will eat and when but quantity -on the whole- isn't an issue.

I was interested to read your DS has been prescribed propanol for anxiety and you say you can see a difference when he doesn't take it. My DS has been taking Sertraline for anxiety for a year now but he still has episodes of acute anxiety and panic attacks - particularly this week as it is end-of-year-exams. How do you think the propanol has helped your DS's anxiety?

Its a beta blocker and known to reduce anxiety apparently. He is calmer and throw things far less often , generally less aggressive but still will shout and swear. Massive improvement on how he used to be however

Thanks davy