Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi everyone, hope your well.
Really need some advice or anyone that can point us in the right direction. My non verbal daughter has been diagnosed with Autism already but the one thing I'm really concerned about and have been for a long time is that she has gone of drinking.
She used to drink out of a sippy cup and trying to transfer her over to another was really difficult, we often had to change the tops of her sippy cups as she would also chew them, everytime we did this she would maybe go without a drink for half a day to a day but since we done it last she hasn't drank at all.
Luckily she loves cucumber, apples and oranges and they have been her source of fluid for the past year. We really want her to start drinking again but she constantly refuses and dietains and doctors have been unable to help and just say they havent come across that before which isn't helpful.
Can anyone recommend any advice please, any specialist maybe?
Thank you
Did you try ice or frozen juice my autistic children loves ice
Perhaps playing a game would help her adjust back into drinking liquids. Like a "tea party" type of game. Maybe show her videos of tea parties, and then try to set out some tea cups and snacks, maybe let her pick out a dress for the special tea party sessions, and then play the game with her for a week or so. Maybe begin playing with an empty cup, and then progress to having a bit of water or juice in the cup (emphasize that it's a"real" tea party now, as if it's an upgrade, a reward), and hopefully she'll start thinking more positively about cups and drinking liquids eventually.
It is mate, she's non verbal as well so she can't talk which makes it even more difficult, she can't tell us why she doesn't wanna drink.
We've tried showing her a whole new range of cups and bottles but has no interest at all.
Just don't understand how one day the need to drink has just evaded her.
Thank you!
Thank you! yeah we've tried Straws and had no look either. Cups she will just push away every time.
She used to like ice cream when she was younger but ice lollies and ice cream, no look either.
Thanks
sounds very stressful for you.
maybe make it exciting. take her out and buy her a new cup, whatever she wants. she can make the drink with you. talk to her and see if she has any reasons behind not wanting to drink, it could be something really simple to fix, she just feels embarrassed saying?
I remember having a similar problem. I think we tried straws with a bend in them. I also remember trying to teach the art of sipping from a cup as it is a lot harder than sucking.
Also wondering about ice lollies. Not sure if you can still get moulds to make your own.
Give her whatever she needs to drink water. This is a matter of grave consequence.
In order of importance, Protection is crucial. Health and Time is something one can never get back.
I would find every lid available and see if she'll take to them. Silicone may help. TKs and Home Sense always have an abundance. See if she will transition to a coffee carrier and lid. Juice boxes with straws, sport top bottled water... I would exhaust every possibility.
If I were to go down a list of things which are important (and my son is 25 now - all his friends turn to him for advice), one thing that matters very little is forcing a transfer when a matter of health is Absolute Priority. A lack of fluids, of water can have a lasting impact on our biology. I think you sense the danger here, though.
My brothers, father, son all have chewing fixations. I bought my son packs of gum and taught him to chew gum at a young age. My father likes ice. He bought an ice machine. My grandmother was aware of this and always left out fresh crunchy veg & nuts - everywhere, available at any time of the day. Find what she like to chew and sort it with something healthy. Often this can aid a brain in chaotic constant motion.