My son has never used utensils! From the time he was a baby til now. Feeding him baby food I just had to empty the jar onto his high chair tray because a spoon upset him so much. Now 4 years old, he's still using his hand for everything. He refuses to use a spoon or fork. We always give him one and make him try it, but he gets so frustrated. It's NOT that he can't because I have seen him pick it up and try on his own a few times. It's just that he won't. I guess I just wanted to know who else deals with this and who did? When did your kids start using them?
Also, do you kids still smear food on themselves? My son is always putting what is on his plate on his head!!
My almost three year old also will not eat with utensils of any kind, and refuses to drink through those bendy straws. He doesn't smear food on himself, but he'll throw it on the floor. It's pretty yucky, and I can't get him to stop, so I don't have any advice for ya, but I do know how that feels!
Do you try ABA? I think that addresses behaviors like this, but I'm not sure. Hopefully someone will pop in here with something more useful to say than me!
Hugs!
[QUOTE=Evie]My almost three year old also will not eat with utensils of any kind, and refuses to drink through those bendy straws. He doesn't smear food on himself, but he'll throw it on the floor. It's pretty yucky, and I can't get him to stop, so I don't have any advice for ya, but I do know how that feels!
Do you try ABA? I think that addresses behaviors like this, but I'm not sure. Hopefully someone will pop in here with something more useful to say than me!
Hugs!
[/QUOTE]
We do the ABA, he has an in home service 2 hours a day. They do work on having him hold utensils, but a lot of the times they are not here for meal time, so it's kinda been put on the back burner. I'm thinking this is sensory....I have heard this is a common thing for ASD kids. I just wonder how long it goes on for!
Thanks Evie
All 3 of my sons did not use utensils until they were probably around 6-7 years old. Even now, we occassionally have to remind them to use their utensils. They are 11, 10 and 9 now. They are all VERY MESSY eaters. They will have food all over their face, hands and clothes...they do not seem the least bit bothered by this. Just keep trying, and reminding him...good luck to you.I was SOOOOOO glad to read this concern........ my son is still having a lot of texture issues and he eats a lot of baby food still at 29 months old. We offer his "real" food all the time but all he will eat is crunchy stuff like crackers, chips, etc., and he feeds them to himself. He knows how to use a fork and spoon, but trying to feed a child baby food when he doesn't even really want it but has to eat something :) poses a challenge in getting him to use it himself.
It is just so nice to know we are not in this boat alone........
I used to feed my son until he turned 4. He refused to use a spoon or fork on his own and because he is such a skinny kid I gave up and spoon fed him. He is pretty good now feeding himself but he sure is messy, food ends up on the floor and all over his face!
I used to give my son a pudding cup and a spoon to practice with. Pudding tends to stick on the spoon a little easier and he was very motivated to feed himself. If he tried to use his fingers I took the pudding away until he used the spoon again.
Good luck!!
Im sorry Hun I have to Laugh...Rissas food is ALWAYS ending up on her head...
Rissa will use a spoon or fork but prefers her hands. With the spoon she has difficulty getting it from her plate to her mouth and turns the spoon over and like wise dumping it in her lap. So in OT we were told to backwards train her but holding her elbow up high so she only had to go to her mouth then over time lowering till she gets it.