How to Help Your Child with Autism Overcome Picky Eating

Picky Eating is the common term for what Picky Eaters do. These children are hard to please and to feed in general, but they rarely end up starving themselves. Patterns of “over-selecting” food are common among children with developmental disorders, but they are also common among all children. Estimates vary widely among studies, but in a recent report, the estimate was about one-fifth of all children.

In this two-part series of the Dr. G Aspie Show, Dr. Lauren King, co-founder of Food Wise at Southeast Psych, joins Dr. G to discuss picky eating with kids on the spectrum.

My husband and I have been parents for 18 years. When our youngest daughter was born just over five years ago we knew we had not ‘arrived’ yet (do we ever really ‘arrive?), but we did feel pretty comfortable with our parenting skills and abilities by then.

When people learn I have two children with autism, one of two things happen.  Either the person gets a blank look on their face and has no idea what to say, or the look is one of pity and the apologies start.  I understand that people don’t know what to say, but the apologies are hard to take.  Why in the world would you apologize to someone because of his/her children?  It makes it seem like you believe that autism is a terrible tragedy.

In many ways, Thanksgiving is a perfect storm of challenges for children on the autism spectrum and for their parents.  Not only is the holiday built around every possible stressor, but it also provides virtually no outlets for autistic strengths.

My eldest grandson (age 5) is autistic. His parents work full-time so I am his caretaker.  He is very picky about his food, does not talk, is hyperactive, walks on his toes, has difficulty concentrating, wakes up in the middle of the night, is not potty-trained, and fiddles with his fingers. We do a gluten-free / casein-free diet, supplements to detoxify his body of metals, soft laser treatments on his brain, and essential oils. Our main concern is how to reduce his hyperactivity and improve his language. Please help.

To be completely honest, I thought I was well educated on special education. I mean after all, I have worked with several different students with a wide range of learning disabilities, physical disabilities, etc. However, reality didn’t set in until I had my own child. Let’s face it – there is a huge difference between reading something in a book and living it. My first child was a beautiful, healthy, bright eyed little girl. As an educator, I had such high hopes. I hung black and white pictures next to her changing table and read to her every day. Then one day, my experience in education told me something was wrong with my beautiful baby. Since her birth I struggled to get her to eat. She was very thin and the insurance company even sent someone to weigh her weekly. All she did was sleep and then as she got older, it was impossible to get her to go to sleep.

If your child or a student that you teach, seems defiant or like they “just won’t listen,” then you need to read this article.
When my daughter, (who has Asperger’s Syndrome), was a toddler I had concerns that she was deaf at times because of the way she would ignore me when her name was called.
Me: “Mary.”
Me: “Mary.”
Me: “MARY.”
Me: “MARYYY.”
Me: “MARRRRRRYYYYYYYYY!”
Mary: “What.” {Expressionless, without even looking up}

“My child with ASD and SPD started kindergarten this year and eating in the cafeteria with all the sounds and smells is a struggle for her. Do you have any ideas to help her make it through lunch?”

Leslie: Dr. Gaskill is a psychologist with Southeast Psych down in North Carolina and he is also the author of Max Gamer the comic, correct?