Same concern here. Ds eats very few things. Meat is the hardest, if not impossible. Veggies...he'll eat frozen peas. Once in awhile corn from the can. He eats Mcdonalds fries and chick nuggets, most of the time anyway. Sometimes he only eats the outside of the nuggets, though I don't know why. He will drink anything luckily. He eats 3-4 diff fruits which I'm greatful for. Mostly he likes mushy things like the baby food jars of fruit. In fact, he ate very well, w/ almost zero pickiness even to meat, when he ate babyfood. It was the switch to solids that made things difficult. But he does like crunchy stuff like crackers and cereal. I understand sally about the losing foods. Ds has done that too recently. I always give him a vitamin daily. I have recently tried elec toothbrush but it scares ds. But it is easier to brush him with so I use it as he screams w/ reg toothbrush anyway. Boy kids are fun huh?
Amber Hi Mairi...srsmom is right...Pediasure is our friend here! I have the same problem...and like Kellie...our food goes through intense examination also (although what can you hide on dry toast?!) I think without the Pediasure (and Pedialyte too), we'd be in a lot of trouble, but it'll give him everything he needs on a daily basis...before he'd drink it straight, we used to make "Pediasure Shakes" as he liked ice cream...then eventually he started to like them plain (or pink I should say). Someone just told me that there are STs that have 'experience with food disorders' and I'd never heard of that, so I'm going to look into that...apparantly they work with food with the kids, play games, etc. etc. I don't know anything about it but I'm about to!!!! We tried the electric toothbrush long ago too...but once it was turned on, it never went in his mouth again...ever...on or off! ;) It DID help (the brushing) with apraxia. ~Lesley Takoda is also a picky eater and won't eat any vegtables. I had him at wic recently and found out he had grown another inch but fell off the weight chart because he now is below the bottom 5%. Also his iron fell to 11. I was advised by wic to get a multivitiamin and limit the amount he drinks around meals. Takoda takes spurts were he eats a bite or two (sometimes nothing) and yells I'm done. Now the baby is starting to copy
Nelle Hey you guys, thank you soooo much for all your replies and suggestions. It's so good to hear things you've tried, and so good to hear that we're not alone in this. What is Pediasure?? I wonder if I can get this in Sydney? Is it a food supplement disguised like a shake? I will see if I can find it on the web and see if I can get a hold of it. I'm sure it would help. We are still battling - the electric toothbrush has died a death....
I look forward to chatting again with you guys. If any of you want to email me i'm on mairi_wallace@hotmail.com. Take care, and here's to our special little guys and gals.. I asked my friend... and she said that she thinks that Karicare is the equalivalant to Pediasure. *shrugs* hope that helps... like i said... you care get pediasure on Similacs site. http://www.welcomeaddition.com/return.cfm?return=./display.c fm&id=139&sent=http://www.pediasure.com is the product This is where you can buy it at.... just do a search. I got an electric tooth brush for my son and it has really helped him to try new things. He is still BY FAR still a picky eater but it seems to have helped some. Oh by the way...WELCOME!! I have a 3 year old son with PDD-NOS. Take care, Karrie We have a similar problem. Here are a few suggestions: Supplement his diet with pediasure. People can survive on pediasure alone so if he drinks 2-3 cans a day it would be a big help. Othewise- my OT suggested introducing new foods in stages. First see if he will just tolerate having a little on his plate, then take a bite etc. At times when it's something I think he will like- I literally stuff it into his mouth. I kow it sounds cruel- but once he realizes he likes it, he finishes the rest of the serving. Otherwise give him a multi-vitamin and make sure he's getting enough calories and protein. Seriously, variety is overrated. In many cultures, they at the same food every day. Good luck. Hello! We have a 3 year old son, ASD diagnosis when he was 2.5 years (but we knew wayyyy before that). We are having a huge problem with his eating... I was wondering if you guys could offer some assistance. We are tearing our hair out - our son will not eat. There are about 3 foods (and this is even dwindling recently) that he will even look at, and this morning I put a bowl of cereal (plain, no milk) in front of him - cereal that he ate a few days ago, and he actually threw up and ran away!!!!!! I am worried sick! He is tired and irritable because he is obviously not getting enough to eat but seems terrified of food. Does anyone have any experience of this??? My doctor doesn't seem to know what to do. I have purchased the book "Can't Eat, Won't Eat" but it's basically based on the presumption that your child can talk so that you can explain and coax them into eating. My son doesn't talk yet. HELP!!!! Any suggestions would be very much appreciated. Thank you very much. hello mairiw, and welcome to the board. my son is 3.5 and also dx with asd just 2 months ago but as you we know long ago something was wrong. my son is a very picky eater just like you will find from most of the people on this board. he will only eat certain textured foods. nothing soft. and is very limited to what he will eat. and for about 3 weeks he would not eat any of his favorites and i almost lost my mind. he would take one bite and spit it out. i have noticed( i started a log) that he goes through this about every month 1/2 and i think it has alot to do with the sensory issues and what is going on with them at that time. right now my other son is out of school and has thrown his entire routine off. i also took him to the store with me and let him pick out a few things to try and one he really loves(chocolate chip poptarts) this was a very positive experience he really felt good about himself
so just remember your not the only one with this problem and just take one day at a time.
Have a good day.
MairiW.
These products are used to ensure a nutritional balance,
You must have something similar in Australia.
If you are not sure, I can read the ingredients off the Ped. label and send it to you.
You might want to consult a physician re supplements.
My grandson takes calcium with magneseum, which is mixed to-gether daily, and put in his apple juice.
It is relatively tasteless, just a very slight lemon taste.
He takes a spoonful of zinc.
It must taste very good, as this is the only supplement he will actually take off a spoon.
He has omega 3 fish oils with borage as well, disguised in his juice.
We found only one chewy multi that he likes, it is chewy and gummy.
We have purchased and thrown away many brands until we found the right one.
All of these products are pure, and purchased from various sites.
Despite the fact that he barely eats, he is maintaining his weight and growth.
Everything except his multi-vitamin is in liquid form.
Hope this helps some
You can find Pedisure on the Similac site and actually purchase it off the web if you don't have anything similar in Austrailia which I'm sure you do... I have a few friends who live in Aussie and will ask them in an email, one of them has a teenager with ASD, so I'm sure she would know.
Kellie
PS: Have you tried getting him to drink Pedialyte?
Newbie here. Logging in from Australia - originally from Scotland. Great website you guys!
MairiW.
ps. I have heard that an electric toothbrush can help with some sensory issues in the mouth, and have bought one...he's getting used to using it (it's not been switched on yet though!!!!!) ;-)
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