I have an 8 year old son that has asperger's. Dinnertime is usually an all out event with him - unless i make pasta. Does anyone have any useful ideas on how we can make him more comfortable with trying other foods?
2007-05-28 12:54:49 · 7 answers · asked by bugalug_hills 4 in Education & Reference ➔ Special Education
I should add that I don't always make pasta! Also, thank you for those who were concerned about my boy's weight - but one of his 'interests' is eating healthily (i know it sounds weird!) so consequently he is very lean and fit.
2007-05-30 10:50:00 · update #1
Make him a "menu". Have him choose an appetizer and a main course. Provide him with 2 choices in each category. Make both appetizer choices foods he does not typically eat (it doesn't matter if they would typically be served as an appetizer). Serve him a very small portion of the appetizer he chooses, start with just 1 bite. Provide a choice of at least one main course food that he prefers, but tell him appetizer comes before the main course and he needs to choose and eat the appetizer before he will be given the main course. Stress to him that as soon as he tastes the appetizer it will be time for the main dish, and provide a lot of positive reinforcement for eating the appetizer. Try to stick with the same appetizer choices for about a week to allow him to get used to them. If he starts picking the same appetizer on consecutive days, begin increasing the serving size until he is eating a typical amount. He will still be eating pasta as a main dish, but will get exposed to other foods and get used to trying them. Over time you may be able to fade out the pasta at times.
Another idea is to make a game of trying a food. Have him help you prepare a new food, and then both of you taste it. Or make a food a funny color as a joke, and then eat it (for example making green mashed potatoes for St. Patricks day, or tie-dyed omelets using drops of different food colorings, etc). Invite one of his classmates over and have them make and eat dinner (make their own pizza, etc).
Outside of meals try talking to him about new things in general, and how trying new things is sometimes scary but also lots of fun. You could remind him of things he was scared of initially but now enjoys, and then point out that trying new foods is similar.
It's a long and gradual process, but stick with it.
2007-05-28 13:41:00 · answer #1 · answered by mblederma 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The thing about asperger syndrome is that new things are always scary. So pick one thing you truly believe your son will like (plain chicken breast, with same kind of sauce that he likes on his pasta, or mashed potatoes, for example) and keep putting some on a little plate that goes in front of his dinner plate. Do this every night, and cut up some little bits, and make an offer (no coersion) every night. It could take weeks, but eventually, the food would not be "a new thing" anymore, because he would have seen it and smelled it so often, for a while.
Also, if he has any friends or peers, if there is a particular thing they will eat/drink, he might give it a go.
If he is getting enough protein, and you can find vitamins he likes enough to accept taking them, the best thing you can do to make dinner time easier, is to not worry about him eating everying on the table, most times. The time it takes to boil up pasta is certaily less time than fighting with him. *sigh*
.
2007-05-28 16:18:49 · answer #2 · answered by nojunk_9 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We had a occupational therapist tell us to introduce only one new food per meal. The deal was he had to at least lick the food before eating the food he liked. By licking it, he may find he actually likes the taste. It took us about 4 meals but our son did gain about 5 new foods into his diet. Which as you know, is a lot when they have such a limited menu of likes!
Best wishes!
2007-05-29 00:39:53 · answer #3 · answered by blondbrainserenity 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would offer him new foods before the foods he does like. For example if you want him to try carrots, give him the carrots and say first carrots then pasta...do not give him the pasta until he tries some of the carrots. Also give him smaller portions of the new foods, to much on a plate can be overwhelming.
2007-05-28 13:34:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It may be helpful to have him tested for food allergies. If a food makes him feel sick or "blah", he may not be able to make the connection and accurately describe it.
Food allergies and digestive disorders are common in children with autism or asperger's. Here is the most common one. As with AS, the symptoms can vary greatly.
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/celiac/
2007-05-29 15:42:11 · answer #5 · answered by Mark 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
omg this is the hardest thing in the world take it from me just give it time. forcing it will only keep him set in his ways even longer. I know that it seems hopeless now and your worried about the whole issue with a well rounded diet but it will happen in due time. just give choices and he will lead the way
2007-05-28 16:49:24 · answer #6 · answered by meg 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make eating new foods have to do with his main interest, if possible and/or reward him with an inexpensive item which relates to his main interest.
2007-05-29 04:33:28 · answer #7 · answered by Me Encanta Espanol 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋