Sensory Issues and eating

I already know DS has autism with some sensory issues. He doesn't like certain food textures in his fingers, let alone to eat, and will usually drop the food if it doesn't 'feel right' to the touch.

He prefers softer foods to crunchy (granted, he only has 5 teeth with the 6th coming in), but will eat cheerios and mum mums. Things he used to eat (morningstar nuggets, tofurkey, cheeses) we've stopped putting in our mouths all together.

His staples are french toast, pb&j sandwiches, bananas, yogurts and cereals. He loves pizza, but only from the pizzeria and heaven forbid I try to feed him homemade pizza because it's apparently not the same lol. We will not touch pasta of any kind.

For the BTDT parents, my questions are:

1. How did you get your LO's to try new foods? I know not to force him, and I offer veggies at least one meal a day (he never touches them) in hopes that maybe he'll try them eventually. I try to stick to the softer foods I know he enjoys, but a lot of times they won't even make it passed his fingers. He actually took an interest in my DH's meatballs a couple of weeks ago, and ate a piece or two excitedly. I tried feeding those to him again a day later and he looked so disgusted that it was quite comical. I guess I got overzealous thinking we found a new food he would eat, lol.

2. What are some good foods you've tried for your LO's that worked?

His weight is in the 50th %, and I know he's fit and healthy in general. His ped. told me to just feed him what he likes, that kids at this age (DS is now 17 months) are just picky - which I totally get. But I'm just looking for suggestions when it comes to his sensory issues and food. Even he has a limit when it comes to 2 weeks straight of pb&j sandwiches for lunch!

TIA.

Re: Sensory Issues and eating

I'm in the same boat.

DS doesn't have sensory issues but has weak mouth muscles and an "underdeveloped" chewing technique- this is related to his phonological issues.

He eats pancakes, scrambled eggs, cookies, meatballs, pretzels, ice-cream chicken nuggets, pb&j, pizza and mac & cheese. Sometimes apples, pears, butternut squash, blueberries, strawberries and honeydew. I've listed everything he will eat, absolutely nothing else. Mostly, he takes pediasure. I try EVERY SINGLE DAY to introduce a new food, and he responds by crying like he is being tortured. He will be three in July. I am so frustrated because his older brother and sister are such great eaters.

I would love to hear suggestions!

Sensory Issues and eating

That sounds like a feast compared to what my DD eats lol. She is slowly coming around to new foods but she still has major textural issues. What her preschool did (which is the only good thing they did in my opinion) was they had fun food fridays. They would have a variety of new foods every friday and the kids had to smell, touch, taste each food. They made it more of a game so the kids weren't viewing it as torture : ). If the child liked it after then tasted it, then they could eat it if they didn't like it, no problem, as long as they tasted it. I still do a modified version of this now but I use the same foods a few weeks in a row because I believe it takes the kids a few times to really decide if they like or dislike something.

Sensory Issues and eating

Thank you ladies for your replies!

I think he's a little too young to fully understand the 'fun food friday' but I absolutely love that idea! I will keep it in mind when he gets a little older and his comprehension broadens a bit. I like your modified take on it, and it's what I've been trying to do with the vegetables (hasn't worked, but he did managed to take a couple of tater tots with this method, lol).

My DS has been eating well the last couple of days, but with his safe foods, no variations.

KarenK - since your DD has textural issues as well, what are some of the foods she enjoys? I'm trying to find things I may have missed with my DS for him to try. TIA :D

Re: Sensory Issues and eating