Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi , my little boy who is 6 and has autism is very overweight . We have had to buy him age 10-11 elasticacted school trousers. I feel awful , I know he has such an issue with food and that he only eats a handful of things but most are the wrong things, he hasn't really wanted do much through the holidays, he has been swimming a few times and just explodes if things don't go his way. I feel exhausted all the time and to be honest I give in to him very easy. I know all the things I should do , for one not buy the pigging stuff. (Crisps and chocolate biscuits) .
i suppose I just wondered if anyone who had been through the same and could give me any strategies that they had used to help their children.
I feel like a complete failure as a mum , I'm supposed to be giving him the best in life instead I'm turning him into an overweight little boy who will probably end up with health problems if I don't handle it now. His waist measures 31 inches , which shocked the hell out of me.
sorry for going on and Thankyou for reading
Hi - it's so difficult. My son used to like a certain type of food but only from 1 maker! Approach things step by little step so expectations are achievable. He must be eating quite a lot of these items to be putting on weight so, despite all the emphasis on healthy living, try to cut a few things down a bit such as less cheese spread in the sandwiches, pizza a bit smaller, 1 slice of toast instead of 2, or 2 smaller slices. Spread spread more thinly (sorry about typing "spread, spread!). Substitute fruit for other treats. Have certain things as a treat for when he's achieved something. "Treat time". I know it won't be at all easy as you've both got in a way with things. It's absolutely so easy to give in. I've done it many times over the yrs. Does he eat the same things at school as he does at home? Just a thought but some children vary their eating habits depending on location!