--- In BCautism@yahoogroups.com, Lisa White <alisanna714@...> wrote:
>
> 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
>
> Thank you all for responding to me! And thanks for all the advice.
My daughter's problem must be unique because when I say that she
likes to drink I mean she really likes to drink. She eats well too
and doesn't seem to have any problems with textures so maybe this is
a sensory issue? She drinks whatever we give her, including water and
she drinks it in a sippy or regular cup. How she gets it doesn't seem
to matter to her but she has an incredible "need"? "addiction"? to
drink. Sometimes her tummy gets rock hard from all of the fluid she
intakes. Her doctor tells me that she can have as much water as she
wants but no answer as to why she is seeking this kind of "comfort?".
I don't know. Like I said, I am so new to this and I am trying to
digest all of the information that has thrown our way. It is so
overwhelming. Anyways, thanks again.
Jeanna
>  
>