My son also suffered from sensory problems-especially food...he still has a hard time eating certain things and he's 12.  We would offer foods that he like throughout the day and would also add new but similiar things.  Eventually he started eating all kinds of good for you foods.  I would like to add that I have a also have a 3 year old daughter who is NOT autistic.  She also prefers to drink more often then eat.  Like Kelli said, if you're going to let them drink give them something good for them.  Our Autistic son, as well as my daughter have all gone through phases...this too shall pass.  Eventually she'll get over the sippy.  I would however, start weening her off of the sippy if she is able to drink from a regular cup or water bottle.  He (our son) has not always liked our rules or our way but eventually, like any other kid, he's adjusted just fine.

--- On Wed, 7/2/08, Kelli Gibson <kelligibson@...> wrote:

From: Kelli Gibson <kelligibson@...>
Subject: Re: [BCautism] Help with my 23 month old
To: BCautism@yahoogroups.com
Date: Wednesday, July 2, 2008, 10:53 AM

Very true that all children are different, especially those with Autism.   All 4 of my boys are affected to some degree, but it seemed the same thing they all shared and shared terribly was their aversion and texture sensitivity to foods of all kinds.  Like any parent, I took on the "your going to do what I say, and now mister" stance, in making them eat, or at least try a bite of food.  What I learned was that I could not force them to "like" food, especially when it was their disorder in the way, and not because they were being obstinate or stubborn.  I stopped forcing, and discussed options with their pediatrician (vitamins, minerals etc...to fill in the gaps) and just make sure they ate at least something they liked and wanted throughout the day.  As it turns out, as they are getting older, and I've stopped having to control what they will or will not eat, or try, that they are slowly starting to try new foods on their own.  They are becoming more "brave" in wanting to at least taste what it is that Dad and I are eating etc....and some of it they like, and some of it they run and spit out.  But I'm thrilled that they are really starting to take an interest in different tastes and textures.  Now this doesn't mean that I give in and let them eat NOTHING but junk food (crackers, pretzels, fruit bars) all day, as I do have to limit how much they take in from time to time, but we're getting past that, we're all finding a balance we're happy with.   The point of this was too say, one of the things all of my boys would and still do to a point is drink non-stop all day.  Not really an issue for me, as 2 of the boys only drink water, and I say go for it!!!  The  other 2 however, are juice and chocolate milk junkies.  The chocolate milk is kept to minimum, but is allowed so that they do get some of the nutrients from the milk.  No need for extra calcium.LOL  But......as far as juice, after talking with their pediatrician, as my boys would not take anything that resembled a vitamin, including gummies, is we switched to V-8 V-fusion juices.  It had more of the vitamins and minerals that they were going to be lacking from their foods, and we all felt more confident that at the very least they weren't filling up on only empty calories, or just getting fruit juice.  Yes their are days that this became their "meals" as they too would just fill up on juice (cup after cup), but they soon would make up for it by eating the next day.  Food is a particularly sore subject around here, most times, and too save my sanity had to learn to "re-think" my parenting in that area when dealing with Autistic children.  Truth is, I really always felt guilty as I felt like a lousy parent that my children were going to "starve" and not get the nutrition they need etc, if I didn't force them to eat.  Let me just tell you......NONE of them are starving.LOL  They are very healthy, and all were they should be on the scales of growth and physical development (in fact they are all actually OVER the scale and every one of them are in the 100 and over percentile for their age groups in height and weight).  Their Dr gives them blood test as often as we can (they HATE that), but he likes to keep an eye on their nutrient levels etc.....and they are all doing fine, and are where they should be, with no deficiencies.  How's that for kids who don't "eat"!!!???   If she doesn't like to eat, versus the fact that she just fills up on liquid therefore not being hungry, than maybe this would be an option for her as well for the time being.  Just depends on the situation.  If it's that she is just filling up on juice, but doesn't mind eating foods, and textures, tastes, and smells don't really affect her, than it really is just a matter of laying down the law as far as her drinking habits.  The hard part is really knowing the difference I think.   Good luck to you!!! Kelli       -------Original Message----- --   From: Lisa White Date: 7/2/2008 8:54:01 AM To: BCautism@yahoogroup s.com Subject: Re: [BCautism] Help with my 23 month old   Well, every child is different but for us, we got rid of all the sippy cups but 1.  Throughout the day we allowed our son to only drink from a "big boy" cup.  He was only allowed to have his sippy cup first thing in the morning.  When it was gone the cup was put up.  If he chose NOT to drink from a big boy cup, then he didn't get anything to drink...(he never got dehydrated) He'd finally give in and drink from a standard cup.  HE did resists this at first but like all things, he adjusted.  Just have patience and refuse the urge to give in.  This should also help her start eating more also. --- On Wed, 7/2/08, WILLIAM TENBRINK <tenbrink5@yahoo. com> wrote: From: WILLIAM TENBRINK <tenbrink5@yahoo. com> Subject: [BCautism] Help with my 23 month old To: BCautism@yahoogroup s.com Date: Wednesday, July 2, 2008, 2:32 AM Hello I'm new to this group and new to autism. My daughter is almost 2 and insists on having MANY sippy cups throughout the day. She would rather drink than eat and can not go by a cup (see one) without wanting a drink. Has anyone out there experienced this? And do you have any advice for me? Thank you