4 year old eating won’t eat anything

Hi, I have no experience with young children, but this sounds very much like sensory issues/ ARFID-type eating issues. I don't know but have you tried slowly introducing new foods? Have you figured out what kinds of food textures/ colours etc she likes? Can you maybe pick something very similar to what she likes and try that- just a tiny amount to start off (from what you say it sounds like she might like soft textures and light colours of food??) Also you can maybe try fading in new foods into those that she already eats- so maybe if she likes mashed potatoes, what would happen if you mixed a tiny bit of mashed carrot with the mashed potato (if it works, you could increase the ratio of carrot to potato over time)? If she likes sweet things and mashed things- have you tried blending up fruits as smoothies as a starter? Or maybe banana? (I personally find banana very difficult due to texture and taste -but it is sweet, lightly coloured and soft, so she might like it... ?). Also maybe see if she likes any condiments with her food- if you find one she likes adding that to new foods could help maybe... Finally, even just touching and smelling and looking at new foods is progress. 

I don't know if any of this is useful, like I said I have no experience with young children and can just talk from personal experience with autism-related eating issues and based on the experiences of some of my autistic friends- I am autistic myself and also struggle with eating (though for me I have more issues with digestion, though I was very picky too as a child and even now often end up eating the same foods over and over). 

This is anecdotal but I do have an autistic friend that struggled a lot with eating due to sensory issues but over time by very very slowly introducing new foods and mixing them in with things he was comfortable with he is now able to eat a very varied diet- so with baby steps it is possible to expand the diet. 

It might also be useful to look into resources for people struggling with ARFID- I have a good book which gives advice for adults with ARFID but I am sure there are lots of resources out there tailored for children. 

Can you maybe also get some help from a dietitian or another professional that understands autism-related eating issues? I have a very good dietitian but I am not sure if she works with children... 

I wish you all the best! I hope with time your daughter will feel more comfortable with a slightly wider range of food that will give her the nutrition she needs. 

Hi, I have no experience with young children, but this sounds very much like sensory issues/ ARFID-type eating issues. I don't know but have you tried slowly introducing new foods? Have you figured out what kinds of food textures/ colours etc she likes? Can you maybe pick something very similar to what she likes and try that- just a tiny amount to start off (from what you say it sounds like she might like soft textures and light colours of food??) Also you can maybe try fading in new foods into those that she already eats- so maybe if she likes mashed potatoes, what would happen if you mixed a tiny bit of mashed carrot with the mashed potato (if it works, you could increase the ratio of carrot to potato over time)? If she likes sweet things and mashed things- have you tried blending up fruits as smoothies as a starter? Or maybe banana? (I personally find banana very difficult due to texture and taste -but it is sweet, lightly coloured and soft, so she might like it... ?). Also maybe see if she likes any condiments with her food- if you find one she likes adding that to new foods could help maybe... Finally, even just touching and smelling and looking at new foods is progress. 

I don't know if any of this is useful, like I said I have no experience with young children and can just talk from personal experience with autism-related eating issues and based on the experiences of some of my autistic friends- I am autistic myself and also struggle with eating (though for me I have more issues with digestion, though I was very picky too as a child and even now often end up eating the same foods over and over). 

This is anecdotal but I do have an autistic friend that struggled a lot with eating due to sensory issues but over time by very very slowly introducing new foods and mixing them in with things he was comfortable with he is now able to eat a very varied diet- so with baby steps it is possible to expand the diet. 

It might also be useful to look into resources for people struggling with ARFID- I have a good book which gives advice for adults with ARFID but I am sure there are lots of resources out there tailored for children. 

Can you maybe also get some help from a dietitian or another professional that understands autism-related eating issues? I have a very good dietitian but I am not sure if she works with children... 

I wish you all the best! I hope with time your daughter will feel more comfortable with a slightly wider range of food that will give her the nutrition she needs.