PeachyMom

Hi, it's me again. (LOL) I have been unable to find another autistic child who has such a severe eating problem as mine has.

He is 6 years old and still eats Gerber 3rd step baby food and Gerber Baby Cereal. The only "people" food he will tolerate is applesauce (regular and cinnamon), Yoplait keylime, vanilla, and orange yogurt, strawberry syrup (milk and cereal), dum dum suckers (red and blue and green ), occasionally will lick a red popsicle or cool-pop, and red licorice ( only been eating for a little over a year). He will drink milk, water, and apple juice.

He won't try anything. He won't even taste stuff! He pushes it to the other side of the table, puts it in the sink, or drops it in the garbage. He won't eat other baby foods, other yogurts, toddler meals, regular food, etc.

I have tried tricking him by mixing food in with his baby food and in the jars. I have tried making him eat spaghettios ( 2 years ago) and he would gag it up. He has had a barrium test to make sure his esophagus and stomach were functioning properly and they were. You cannot trick him or mix new things in his food. He notices any slight change of color, odor, or thickness of his food. Cake, candy, cookies, french fries, mashed potatoes, chicken nuggets, pancakes, bananas, ice cream, corn, etc. has not tempted him.

He does not care to try ANYTHING new. His special ed school (very good school and teacher) also have tried. His teacher was in shock when she tried everything she could think of and he wouldn't try it. Once in a great while he will shock me and touch something to his tongue or lick it a little, but then never try it again. Like a biscuit or bread. He drank pop once.

I have heard of autistic kids being picky eaters, but I have yet to come across an autistic child with this severe of a picky eating problem besides my son. None of his doctors, pediatricians, or even his ped. neurologist help with this. They don't know. His OT tries what she can. We've done "brushing" of his skin. It seemed to help at first, but then after two months it didn't. Is there anyone out there who's child is THIS PICKY OF AN EATER? I desperately need some ideas or experience from someone who has had this same problem. I appreciate any responses.

Trust in God and have a great day!