Very difficult night

monjet13

We had a very difficult night last night, My 18yr old autistic son had stopped eating AGIAN. We have been going through this ever since he has started eating solid foods, he eats a certain group of foods for a while and then just stops and we have to try frantically to find something he will eat. Last night I had to sit by him for almost an hour to make sure he ate his dinner. That wouldn't be so bad accept that he gets verbally abusive. The kid only weighs 100lbs so when he starts loosing weight its a big deal. I've been doing this for 18yrs and I have to say that today I more than a little burned out.

zaithyr

I'm so sorry you are having a rough time! *HUG* Will he take multivitamins? (even the chewable kind). Won't replace the fact that he needs to eat obviously but he'd get a little nutrition in.

huggiebear96001

My son used to not eat. When he was young, he would go days without eating anything. Finally, I began making him protein shakes with whole milk and his favorite icecream. It kept him from loosing too much weight. As time went on, I would give him a small portion of food and then the shake as a reward for eating a little.

Over time, he began to eat everything. Needless to say, he is now 6'1" and weighs 215 pounds!

mdcjmom

I am so sorry to hear about your struggle. Would the shake idea above be feasible?

sdbart

I like the shake idea... [HUGS] I hope you find a solution to this soon...

ravenclawseekergirl

When i was younger i was a really picky eater and had a really small group of foods that i would eat. I was very scared of new foods. My parents did this thing where they would just as me to hold a new food the first time. Then the next just lick it, then over time it would progress to putting it in my mouth and then to actually eating it. It helped a lot because there wasn't as much pressure from them and it was also less scary.
I dont know if any of that would be any use to you, but i hope that your having an easier time now.

starbuckette

Do you know what triggers him to stop eating? Not easy to figure out I know. Are there consistencies in any of the foods he tends to eat ie: texture (mushy, crunchy), taste (sweet, salty), colour - this could help you select some new foods for him. Given that your son is 18, you know him very well and have probably done a ton of investigative work and figured out what you can in terms of his eating/behaviour but a new look or approach can sometimes help. I've found that it's all about drilling down and really understanding the triggers and causes, and the consistencies between successful solutions. A lot of it is counter-intuitive, which is a struggle in itself. And it is a never-ending investigative exercise. I know how frustrating and exhausting it is, and how trying the verbal abuse can be. Hang in - try to get some respite so you can recharge your batteries and generate a little reserve for later. Easier said than done, but necessary. I've been to the point many a time where I've used up all my emotional and physical energy AND all my reserve and it is not a fun place. Put your oxygen mask on first....