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3 1/2 year old Son has started gagging and making himself sick!

nikkimummy

Hi ya everyone,  i've never done this before but not sure who to ask!

My son (3.5 years old) recently got diagnosed Autistic and we are just in the process of sorting bits out for him BUT in the last year he has started with a new "thing"!!

Whenever he gets really upset he start making himself gag and be sick.  Also when he gets a cough he does it as well! 

Now i have read on the internet that this may be a sign of SPD.  My son is also an extreme tippy toe walker( currently having neuro plates made but with little hope), picky eater and routine mad.

Im not sure how to handle this sick business and need some advise if possible.  Obviously mine and hubby's initial reaction was to tell him off as it comes accross as he's being naughty but then i thought maybe this and his autism may be connected and if it is then having a go at him wont work.

Im really hoping that someone out there can advise whether you are a doctor or in the health care sector or a mummy/daddy that has been through this as all these new little "things" are starting to worry me. 

Many Many Thanks

Mummy to my perfect boy

  • This sounds very like a bit of attention seeking to me!  Most kids pass through this phase, and ignoring is the best remedy.

    Keep calm, teach him to take deep breaths, and as 'loulabell' suggests, try to avoid the circumstances you know will trigger this behaviour.  Remember to praise him when he learns to cope with a usual trigger situation.  Soon he will forget to do it any more.

    The more attention and fuss you give him when he does it, the more he will do it - so don't make a rod for your own back!!

    All the best.

     

  • Hi there Nikki,

    My son is the same age as yours and does exactly the same thing. He mainly does it when he's upset to show his distane. However he also does it when he's ill. He is soon to have surgery for gromets, but i've also asked them to look for any throat issues that might be causing this, ie big tonsils, my daughter had enormous ones! or possible throat restrictions that may have come about from Acid Reflux (GERD) abnormalities etc. He suffered from it tremendously when he was a baby and think he still does to some degree, as he sounds like he sicks up a bit when he burps etc, sorry for graphic description. Acid Reflux can cause all sorts of problems and kids with ASD are renound for gastro issues. I'm not convinced it's purely Autistic and think it's possible it may be down to a more phsyical reason.

     

    Let me know how it all goes. Hope that we've been some help.

    Love Sam, Blake and Jess.

  • Hi Lou,

    Thank you so much for the above, nice to knpow he isnt the only one doing it!!!

    I too have a go at him telling him he's being silly and naughty but then it dawned on me that it may be connected in some way to his autism!  Doesnt help that my mum just rams it down my throat that ALL kids do EVERTHING he does!!!!  not helpful!

    I hope you get everything sorted for your son soon and you get all the support you need

    Love Nikki

  • Hi Lou,

    Thank you so much for the above, nice to knpow he isnt the only one doing it!!!

    I too have a go at him telling him he's being silly and naughty but then it dawned on me that it may be connected in some way to his autism!  Doesnt help that my mum just rams it down my throat that ALL kids do EVERTHING he does!!!!  not helpful!

    I hope you get everything sorted for your son soon and you get all the support you need

    Love Nikki

  • Hiya Nikkimummy,

    I have a 10 year old who is currently being assessed for autism, he has been diagnosed with adhd and dyspraxia since he was 5. 

    He also has this issue, until reading your post i thought it was just his thing that he did. 

    He gags all the time, when hes crying especially, when he coughs he sounds horrid, he sounds like hes gonna throw up (its horrible to listen to!) He only has to see a baby and hes gagging, if one gets too close he does throw up, hes the same with old people.

    I cant say what the best thing to do as i dont know but i can tell you what we do. 

    When is crying...

    It is hard but it we try to calm him quickly, keeping him cool often helps, if hes really upset i will wet one of 'his' cloths and dampen his face. Be soothing and calming while encouraging him it calm down. 

    When he has a cough...

    This one is very hard..its a given that he will be sick. I will watch what i am giving to him, foods that a dry are the normal. We only give him water or very dilute juice. 

    The baby/old people situation...

    I believe its down to smell as he will hold his breath and cover his nose and mouth. As this is only a problem on the outside of the safety of home it can be hard for me as a parent to cope with, i often loose it with him tell him to stop being silly but then i have to remind myself that HE CANT help it! While out and about i have to be on my guard, almost have eyes in the back of my head and avoid babys, i see a pushchair heading our way i will distract him, move away, or even make him look the other way till they have passed. When he is forced into it then you have to remind him to stay calm. ONLY he can stop him being sick. 

    I understand my son is 10 but this has been happening for as long as i can remember. like i say i always just thought it was just him and something he has picked up over time. 

    I hope even a smidgen of this helps you. I cant say if its a medical problem, or condition but i have been there. You will find your own way to deal with it, there may be a trigger other than when hes upset or coughing, just try to stay calm when it does happen and dont take it out on him (a lot easier said than done, i still get mad)

    Take care 

    lou xx