Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.



Active Topics || Favorites || Member List || Search || About Us || Help || Register || Login
Special Blessings
 4Real Forums : Special Blessings
Subject Topic: mealtime / food advice Post ReplyPost New Topic
Author
Message << Prev Topic | Next Topic >>
folklaur
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star


Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2816
Posted: July 13 2007 at 6:02pm | IP Logged Quote folklaur
I need help, especially with patience!

My ds8 has Asperger's. As he is getting older, it is becoming more obvious in some ways, and less so in others.

But one big issue is mealtimes. I really just want to cry some(most?) days.

I had always pretty much been of the mindset that the kids will eat what I make for dinner. Then I had this child. And what doctors don't understand - with their advice of "he won't starve himself, he will eat it eventually, blah blah blah." - they don't get it. He hardly ever asks to eat. I don't think I have ever heard him say, "I am hungry! What's for dinner?" I am not coddling him (am I? see, then I doubt myself!) His gag reflex is SO strong -- any "weird" taste or even texture - or even a strong smell - and he WILL throw up. And who WANTS to throw up? Not me, and I am more than willing to bet he doesn't either! So, that really isn't him being a "picky eater", or stubborn, is it? Even just a "try it" bite is enough to make him throw up (so, naturally, he is "afraid" to try anything.)

But HOW do I help him with this? When he was nursing as a baby, he was this round little pudge-ball. He never was interetsed in food, not really. And, as a baby, he NEVER put things in his mouth - now we know that was because of the ASperger's and getting over stimulated.

Now, at 8, he is SO skinny (but tall for his age too.) He isn't anemic.

Mealtimes are horrid. I lose patience, and/or dh does. Then I beat myself up.   

He eats like 10 things (and awfully one of those is pop-tarts - cold - it is the only thing he ever asks for.)

I have him help with cooking - and he loves to do this - but he will not try anything new even that way.

Do I just make broccoli every day? (he will nibble the tops of broccoli and sometimes a raw carrot. Maybe a banana, but that is the extent of fruit & veggies, and of course that leads to digestive problems, too!

Ugh!

Does anyone have any advice?
Back to Top View folklaur's Profile Search for other posts by folklaur
 
CatholicMommy
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: Feb 07 2007
Location: Indiana
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1254
Posted: July 13 2007 at 6:13pm | IP Logged Quote CatholicMommy
No advice here, but just to say that I have a friend with a seriously sensitive gag relfex. He's healthy enough but his parents had to a great deal of careful menu planning for him - now it's habit for him to know what's good and what's not - and he's even said that he can more control it now (he's in his 30s), but I just couldn't imagine.

We'll be praying for you, your son and your family....
Back to Top View CatholicMommy's Profile Search for other posts by CatholicMommy Visit CatholicMommy's Homepage
 
Taffy
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: April 05 2005
Location: Canada
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1567
Posted: July 13 2007 at 8:46pm | IP Logged Quote Taffy
Laura,

I haven't had to deal with this myself but the blogger who writes Jacob's Journey has been dealing with this quite a bit. She has written up a great series of posts describing how she is helping her boys get over their food sensitivity issues, and it's been a success!

Of particular interest to start might be the posts:

SOS Feeding Program

SOS Update

more on SOS

Hope this helps!

__________________
Susan
Mom to 5 on earth and 1 in heaven
Susan's Soliloquy
Back to Top View Taffy's Profile Search for other posts by Taffy
 
dawn2006
Forum Pro
Forum Pro
Avatar

Joined: Aug 07 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 267
Posted: Aug 12 2007 at 4:08pm | IP Logged Quote dawn2006
Does anyone have any advice?
Hi..I'm new 'round here AND I don't have any advice but your post is breaking my heart so I just wanted to give ((hugs)). My 5yods is on a low-carb (10 g of carbs a day) diet for controlling seizures and there are so few foods that he actually wants to eat... it is very hard on him AND me! I can relate to your mealtime struggles. Again.. ((hugs)).
Back to Top View dawn2006's Profile Search for other posts by dawn2006 Visit dawn2006's Homepage
 
MEBarrett
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: Feb 15 2005
Location: New York
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 596
Posted: Aug 12 2007 at 6:22pm | IP Logged Quote MEBarrett
My Ryan has some serious food issues which have driven me to distraction over the years. He is thin as well and while he eats quite a bit of what he likes he only likes or can tolerate about 10-12 things.

I have waved the white flag for the moment. I generally make him something he will eat (pasta with butter) if we are eating something he can't tolerate. I make sure he has some protein everyday (has to be chicken, he won't eat any other) and he takes a multi vitamin.

I am going to read those posts though, see if I can learn anything.

__________________
Blessings,
Mary Ellen
Mom to seven beautiful kids
Tales from the Bonny Blue House
O Night Divine
Back to Top View MEBarrett's Profile Search for other posts by MEBarrett Visit MEBarrett's Homepage
 
MEBarrett
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: Feb 15 2005
Location: New York
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 596
Posted: Aug 12 2007 at 6:23pm | IP Logged Quote MEBarrett
My Ryan has some serious food issues which have driven me to distraction over the years. He is thin as well and while he eats quite a bit of what he likes he only likes or can tolerate about 10-12 things.

I have waved the white flag for the moment. I generally make him something he will eat (pasta with butter) if we are eating something he can't tolerate. I make sure he has some protein everyday (has to be chicken, he won't eat any other) and he takes a multi vitamin.

I am going to read those posts though, see if I can learn anything.

__________________
Blessings,
Mary Ellen
Mom to seven beautiful kids
Tales from the Bonny Blue House
O Night Divine
Back to Top View MEBarrett's Profile Search for other posts by MEBarrett Visit MEBarrett's Homepage
 

If you wish to post a reply to this topic you must first login
If you are not already registered you must first register

  [Add this topic to My Favorites] Post ReplyPost New Topic
Printable version Printable version

Forum Jump
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Hosting and Support provided by theNetSmith.com