HELP!

Thanks for the responses so far.

To be honest, she has the same routine everyday, breakfast with brother (he too is autistic, and whilst eating doesn't speak much at all ), whilst mother and I potter around getting ready for the day ahead, lunch at scholl (which she has just told us she actually throws on the floor whilst TA isn't looking, we caught her doing the same at home here last night and this lunchtime) and then a family dinner with us all sat together at the dining table.

Thanks again

I agree with the replies given already.

I found evening meal times very difficult as a child and often cried because of the stress I experienced during the day. I was not able to articulate what the problem was, not because of speech problems but because I didn't exactly know what the problem was at the time. I wished that my family would ask me what I wanted to do or what I needed and also give me some time to think about what I wanted/needed.

Also, it seems a lot of ASD people have eating issues and eating disorders. Many are "super tasters", I can't stand having salt on my food, or the taste of onion or garlic (for example), anything strong tasting, but also certain textures. Many use food to control anxiety either through limiting food, or comfort eating.

It is difficult as your daughter is so young, but perhaps you could aske her, very gently what is wrong, tell her you are concerned about her being sad, and ask her to think about why she is sad and then come and tell you later so that you can sort it out. As a child I just couldn't say right away what the problem was, but after a while of thinking I could see what it was. Bear in mind it might be something that will seem to you quite small, but is worrying or upsetting her to a large extent. It may aso be something that requires a creative solution from you.

I hope she will feel better soon. 

My son used to eat anything & everything, but is increasingly being more & more fussy with his food. I can relate to your daughter because I find the evening meal way worse than breakfast or lunch. I honestly have no idea why it's this meal in particular. It may be that he's tired as the day winds down or because the whole family are at the table or that he simply doesn't feel to eat at that time.

I have no answer or suggestions i'm afraid, but I do know that kids with ASD can develop new habits at any time and issues with food is quite common. I find that giving my son a choice sometimes helps...not a wide choice but basically a choice of one or the other. When he feels in control of what he is eating, he generally will eat much better.

Also consider accumulative stress and anxiety. By the time of the evening meal she may be having trouble taking on board eating, especially if it is a social family affair, after the build up of daily stresses she must experience.

I know it sounds daft, but do you eat different meals in different rooms or with different people there, For example at breakfast its just my kids in the dining room, lunch time can be a relaxed affair if we are watching a film or something we might eat in the lounge, but dinner is always everyone together at the dinning table for a catch up on the days event etc which I feel is very important for how my family works but sometimes this is difficult for my 16 year old son who has AS and he bolts his food and leaves or becomes agitated, if we have guests (even just friends of his siblings) this can be difficult as he sees it as a social thing and we dont force him to join in.

So it could be the room or the conversation or something else is upseting her at the moment and she cant cope with to many people at once. Or even something as simple as she has had a big lunch and isnt hungry but doesnt know how to tell you that or is someone sitting in a chair she has decided is her faviorite chair.

Dont know if thats any help to you.

Sam

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