Question -

How to help improve my son with Aspergers’ eating?

Answer -

There is often a link between Aspergers and eating problems.  Children with Aspergers sometimes have very limited food choices, as well as oral aversions due to sensory issues.  Many children with Aspergers do not think of food emotionally, so they only eat when they are very hungry, and the actual feeling of hunger can be influenced by a child’s sensory integration dysfunction.

Since Aspergers eating problems can be critical, medical care is often needed.  Good basic nutrition is so important to a young child’s development.  Sometimes working with young children in a profession environment can improve the child’s eating issues.  Here are some of the treatment options that may be available to you.

* Speech therapy covers many areas other than articulation.  Speech therapists work also work on social skills, alternatives to speech like PECS communication and sign language, and oral aversion issues.

* Feeding therapy is performed by speech therapists or occupational therapists.  If your child has both of these therapies, it might be a good idea to consult with each therapist to form a feeding therapy program.

* Feeding clinics can be found in hospitals, university programs, and in therapy centers.  These clinics are often held in groups and are short in duration, but very helpful for children with feeding problems.

* Sensory therapy can help some children with eating issues.  A hypersensitivity to smells, along with an oral aversion and/or under sensitive mouth cavity, can add up to serious eating problems.  Much of this can be addressed over time with sensory therapy.

Some parents of children with Aspergers eating problems choose to either avoid private or public school therapies, or have no access to these therapies.  It is important, however, to keep in touch with your pediatrician for basic healthcare and development checks.  This doctor can advise and support you on your home program.  Here are some things you can do at home.

* Allow favorites after trying new things.  Perhaps this sounds like bribery, but there is no harm in rewarding your child when he tries something new.  For every bite of the new food, offer a bite of his favorite.* Speech/feeding therapy can be practiced at home with the help of written curriculum guides. Systematic directions enable parents to implement successful therapies at home.  “Improving Speech and Eating Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders-An Oral Motor Program for Home and School”, by Maureen A. Flanagan, is one such book.

Sneak nutritional purees into the child’s favorite foods to boost nutrition.  You can find cookbooks that show you which fruit and vegetable purees work best with which foods.  For instance, you can add pureed carrots to macaroni and cheese and it is undetectable.

* Supplement with protein drinks can be used to up the nutritional value and calorie input of your child’s diet.  You can find protein drinks and nutritional supplemental drinks geared directly to your child’s needs and taste preferences.

With a little support and planning, parents can successfully tackle Aspergers eating issues at home.

Thanks for reading,

Dave Angel