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Help!

LLawrence

My 3 year old is currently being investigated for having autism. We have seen paediatrics, SALT and have portage involved. He is also being referred to OT. He is very picky with his food but will chew on things he's not supposed to e.g. wooden toys, table, TV. Night times are very difficult due to the fact that he moans quite a lot in his sleep and will only settle back down with a bottle of water. He will only drink from a tommee tippee baby bottle. He is also non verbal.

We have no history of autism in the family so this has been a very difficult to come to terms with. Is there any suggestions on how to help come to terms with this and what we can do to support our 3 year old.

  • in reply to Tina_85

    Thank you for your advice. When he goes to pre school he does have chewlery because he keeps chewing the toys and licking the TV they have. We do try different things most days but he's so reluctant to try anything. If he doesn't like the texture he won't put it near his mouth. 

    When we tell him the word 'no' he doesn't listen. We have had is hearing tested and they've said he's not deaf so whether there's some selective hearing going on. We have to physically take the thing away from him but then he'll just find something else to chew on. I have looked in to Pica a little bit but it's difficult to decide whether it relates to just eating things he's not supposed to or chewing/biting other things.

    I do try and keep things to a routine for him as best I can but sometimes we cant always do that.

  • Hello, I was in a similar situation. My son was diagnosed around 6 months ago and there is no history in my family either. I would say don't rush in trying to come to terms with it and literally take one day at a time. Sometimes when things are going well...I don't worry. When days are challenging....I spiral into overwhelm and anxiety. So it takes time. All thr support you are getting early is excellent and this will make a massive difference. I found that tackling one issue at the time helps also... instead of trying to fogure out everything all at once. So think about what will make the most difference, the food? The sleep? And focus on that.

    The chewing is a sensory need so perhaps some research around that will help you. Although my son is still 4 and still does it. I just try to distract him or take the item away if it is not safe. 

    In terms of food... keep offering items he doesn't like. Just leave them on a plate or let him see you eating them. I did this with apples... I offered a little bit every day. At the start he would throw them, play with them, and then eventually he got used to them and will now eat them.

    Some things that help at bedtime and might work if you want to try..giving him a bath and then a massage with coconut oil, especially his legs because he never sits down. Then I let him switch on the small lamp and sing. On the days I delay anything or don't stick to timings, he really struggles so a routine helps him.

    Another thing that helped was talking to parents further along on the journey than me. They are invaluable for advice or just holding space for your worries. I'm in London and happy to meet any fellow parents who would like a chat.