Expert: Catherine Ridenour - 12/2/2007

Question
I HAVE A 10 YEAR OLD SON WITH ASPERGER AND MY QUESTION IS
HOW CAN I HELP HIM ON HIS DIET WHEN HE ONLY WANT TO EAT CEREAL FOR DINNER AND HE IS 6LBS UNDER WEIGHT?
ALSO IF HIS STOMACH HURTS HE CAN,T STOP THINKING THAT SOMETHING BAD IS GOING TO HAPPENED TO HIM?
THANK YOU.

Answer
Hi Abel,

I am always sad when I hear about a child on spectrum who has developed limited diet habits. The time to head this off is in toddlerhood when you can control what foods they are offered.

You can still fix this but it will take determination. I know that tantrums are hard to take, but you have to take charge here. It is very unlikely he will starve himself.

Your son is old enough to begin to understand basic nutritional facts. Educate him about the need for a varied diet. Explain to your son that his stomach ache is probably because he is not eating healthy food. Help him understand that this is something he can control.

Find fruits he likes. Experiment with textures. Maybe he won't eat a fresh apple but likes applesauce. If he wants crunchy, buy dried apple chips. Terra chips are dried vegetable chips in fun colors and have good fiber content as well as vitamins.

Get rid of all the cereal and bread. Wheat is one of the worst things for him to eat. Many autistics are gluten intolerant (gluten is found only in wheat, rye and barley). This intolerance causes major stomach aches, sometimes diarrhea, sometimes constipation. Milk may also be a problem, try soy milk instead.

Go to a health food store and get rice-based and corn-based products that are similar in texture and appearance to the cereals he likes. They are more expensive but you may find it helps him function better.

Once he will eat these, begin to set limits such as, "cereal is only for breakfast." "At dinner we eat our meat and vegetables." Model good eating habits. If the adults are not eating properly, he will be confused by the mixed message.

If he is working with an occupational therapist, ask him/her to help you with this. It is part of their expertise to find out what textures, flavors, and such are a problem for him.

To help maintain his weight, you might want to devise a nutritious blended drink. Use soy milk, add banana, peanut butter and a little yogurt to thicken it. You can also get soy based protein powders if necessary. Again, the health food store is your best resource.

Best wishes,
Catherine