Expert: Valerie Herskowitz - 5/28/2011

Question
Hi,
I came across a very similar problem while searching on pooling of saliva and autism, and you were the person offering advice ..my son is 12 and non verbal, he had infected tonsils a few months ago and after that he started to pool saliva and not swallow it ..as if he was afraid it would hurt to swallow...it's gotten really bad , he won't eat much ....eats one mouthful then has to spit out the saliva afterwards..if we give him medicine he will spit it out after a while ...I know he has severe OCD but how can we resolve this? He has lost weight because he hasn't been eating lately....i'm worried about him, please help !!

Answer
Hi Basma

Oh my! This is so autism, if you know what I mean. Other parents have no idea what we go through, do they?

Unfortunately, the only way around this is to start with a qualified eating therapist or behaviorist that can diligently work with him to re-establish eating habits. It's the only way. So find yourself a person that can work with you.

So the good news is that it is fixable, but the bad news is that it is painstaking work and will take time. You must get started immediately.

Hopefully, you have a speech pathologist, occupational therapist or behaviorist in your area that is trained in feeding disorders and can do this with you. If not, write me back, and I will work with you via phone or Skype.

Let me know how it goes.