Dear Doc,

      I would really appreciate some help with finding some resources in my area or really any where.  That I could go to. To help my daughter and I with her eating situation.  My daughter, Emma, was diagnosed with Autism at age 5.  We are very fortunate that she has very high functioning Autism.  Her doctor has said that it could also be Asperger's Syndrome.  She is doing great academically in school.  Yet, as far as socially, she struggles.  Emma goes by the beat of her own drum.  Prefers to play alone.  Lining up her toys just so. etc., etc., etc..

      You know how parents start to introduce solids to their children at around age 8-12 months.  Well, at age 7, I am still trying to do so with Emma.  As a baby, she would gag and choke.  Once, I sneaked a cheerio in her mouth and she couldn't spit it out.  Resulting in her throwing up.  I, of course, feel horrible now that I know why.  But, back then, I thought she was just being stubborn.  Before Emma was diagnosed my brother told me to only offer her solid foods.  "She'll eat eventually." he would say.  I am glad I didn't do that now.  Her diet consists of oatmeal, instant mashed potatoes, and non-textured baby food.  Like green beans and carrots.  She will also eat ice cream, pudding and jell-o. That is pretty much it.  I don't know if it is the biting and chewing or the swallowing that scares her the most.  She will suck on suckers and things that melt in her mouth ( ice, plain chocolate, etc.).  She does see a Occupational Therapist.  Also, her nutritionalist said that she looks fine.  But, it concerns me that she will get sick as she gets older if she doesn't start to improve.  I do crush up vitamins and hide it in her oatmeal.

      I have done a lot of searching in the Kansas City area and on the internet.  Yet, I have not been able to find one support group.  Not even another parent that is in my situation.  So, I do get frustrated.  I don't know of any books or anything.  So, any suggestions that you might have on my daughter would be very appreciated.

Thank You,

Amyq9

Hi Amyq9, i have a 5 year grandson that is autistic and his eating habits are also strange. He will only eat chicken nuggets,corn dogs,noodles and french fries. He does eat fruit ,like grapes, apples,and strawberries,but that is his limit.Weall are concerned for him but the doctors have told us he is doing great as for weight and height.He is a very loving child with a great memory and is very loving to his 9 month old sister who is just fine. He was talking at 1 year old but when he had a series of shots he stopped. He ran a high fever and then started watching the credits on T. V. like it was the greatest thing he has ever seen. He would wave his arms and dance on his toes . My daughter was shocked to find out he was autistic and she has a difficult time when it comes time to eat. There have been times when he has eaten a food he has had before and it will make him sick and he will not go near it again.We are trying so hard to find out why his eating habits are what they are,but we have been told he will change,well he hasn't in two years and we are going bonkers. He is in school for children like him and he has speech therapy at school but he sometimes will jst refuse to listen.Do you have any advice for us ? Is there something we are missing that can help him?He loves for his Mom to read to him and we do it also, he has a board that has pictures of things he likes and he has to tell us I WANT to do this or i want this to eat, so he does talk but not well. He has only been in school for just a few months and his teacher says he has very good days but some bad days also.If you have any advice please let me know.

Thanks for reading this

Pearsonswife

Dear Pearsonswife,

      Thank you for replying to my message about my autistic daughter and her eating.  And sharing your story about your grandson.  It is comforting to know that I am not the only  parent dealing with these concerns.  I don't know if I can give you any advice that you haven't heard.  But, I can tell you what I have tried and have been told myself.  Emma has a good vocabulary now.  But, she was a late talker.  I did teach her a few words in sign language.  Which did make a world of difference.  She, even now, gets extremely upset when she can't explain or convey what she wants to say.  The hand signing helped calm it down a little.  I do think it is great that you have a board of pictures for him to point out his wants.  It is also great that you all read to him like you do.  Keep it up.

      As far as eating.  Emma's doctor told me the same thing when she was 4.  That she will just grow out of eating non-textured foods.  "You don't see any 9 year olds eating baby food" is what she said to be exact.  Well, Emma will be 8 in January and we are still on same diet of instant mashed potatoes, oatmeal, and baby food.  So, don't be satisfied with a doctor saying your grandson will change.  Changing is the last thing an autistic person wants to do.  Which I am sure you know all to well.  Since I am still struggling with Emma eating new foods.  The only thing that I can suggest is to have him evaluated by an Occupational Therapist.  We are going to see one in Dec. for Emma's eating and a few other autistic symptoms that she has.  Good Luck.

      ABC News did give a few web sites to check out.

http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=research_info

http://www.autismsource.org/

Again, good luck and keep up the good work.

Take Care,

Amyq9