Expert: Valerie Herskowitz - 9/7/2009

Question
Our son is  4.5 years old and only eats oatmeal,soy pudding and soy yogurt.He has several allergies with dairy,eggs and he has sensory issues.The last two days he wont eat his oatmeal.We have taken him to feeding therapy where he will eat foods of similar texture[green beans,sweet potatoes]but he will not eat them at home-he doesnt even want them on the table.We are worried if he stops eating this we are down to two foods.Any ideas would be appreciated.He is already small in nature and not gained weight in several months.

Answer
Since he has started to eat other foods at feeding therapy, he is then just not comfortable eating them at home. Children with autism are very stuck in their routines, so he feels that the vegetables are only to be eaten at therapy. I would suggest finding a new place in your home for him to eat other foods. A place that he does not associate with eating. He can still eat the pudding and yogurt in the old place, but have him try the new foods in a different location. Maybe a table on the patio or in the family room. Eventually, you can try and bring the new foods back to the table, but for the time being, keep them separate. Another idea would be to have your feeding therapist come to your home and work with him on the patio or in the family room. Kids with autism are funny when it comes to certain things-very stuck in their ways. I know it doesn't make sense to you, but it would be like asking you to wear pajamas to work. You are ok with wearing pajamas at home, but you just don't feel like they belong at work. Your son feels that way about the vegetables.

Let me know how it goes