Hi Jaye and all,

If this child has an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Sensory Issues then 
it's very possible that the child is selecting foods on their appearance (eg 
colour or mushiness), and/or texture in the mouth and on the way down, 
and/or smell, and/or hot/cold; and/or what it feels like to pick it up. If 
he's eaten them before (even once) he may "remember" the affect they had on 
his "feeling", his gut, his bowel senses, etc. It can even be what plate 
it's on or the spoon/fork he eats it with, or if the wrong foods touch each 
other on the same plate. To most of us this seems weird but to 
children/adults with ASD or sensory issues and their parents it's a daily 
trauma.

A child/adult with either of these may also "hear" food or see food in a 
different way to "normal" people. Their experience of the food can be 
discomfort, painful, fear, nausea, etc and perhaps in a different way than 
NT (neurotypical) others experience them.

Examples from my own ASD kids - the younger one chooses foods that are 
predominantly white, brown or cream colour; things that are crisp are 
preferable; mushy/watery are definitely OUT (cause him to retch!! even to 
look a them); will not go within metres of red meats (again will retch); 
will not even physically touch unfamiliar foods (this causes great 
distress). He doesn't eat "junk" food which is unusual for an "ordinary 
fussy/picky eater". The older one seems to have grown out of many of his 
food "sensory" issues - I wonder if this was related to the fact he WAS 
diagnosed with coeliac at about 4 1/2 and went onto a very strict gluten 
free diet - perhaps his body is less sensory sensitive now that we 
eliminated one component that was causing his body grief.

Both my boys had gagging when introducing solids at around 6 months - 
neither had consumed anything except breastmilk before that time. If the 
parents think deeply they may find there are other issues of sensory nature 
such as sounds, fabrics, smells, etc.

There are vitamin supplements in capsule from (she could break them open 
into something he likes to eat) or vitamin liquids. There are companies that 
make hypoallergenic vitamins especially for this group of individuals. If he 
will drink shakes then this is a great way to get them into him.

There are plenty of websites that describe sensory issues. If you do a 
search you will find the exact same types of concerns with parents around 
the world. Occupational Therapists can help a lot with this. Here is just 
one website which has some strategies that may be helpful for this mum and 
her son. http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/irca/Medical/mealtime.html

A topic very close to my heart, hope this helps in some small way,
Del
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Del Smith
Breastfeeding Counsellor
Australian Breastfeeding Association www.breastfeeding.asn.au
Married to Kevin and Mum to two gorgeous boys Courtney '96 and Dylan '99
08 9414 5368
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----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jaye Simpson, IBCLC" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2007 4:37 PM
Subject: Odd question


> In reading one posters experience with donor breastmilk for her 9 yr old 
> who
> had a terrible break in her femur but who recovered beautifully (with
> breastmilk being considered a main source of that healing) I wonder what
> donor breastmilk could do for a child with other issues.
>
>
>
> Scenario:  10 yr old with possible learning issues/disabilities but may
> actually be a result of poor eating (not for lack of parent's attempts) 
> not
> that he eats junk food - he just doesn't each much food - refuses veggies,
> all fruits other than apples, red meats, pork, will only eat chicken, no
> fish;  vitamin supplements (chewable's are loaded with aspartame which is 
> a
> major issue in itself - child will not swallow pills) do not have enough 
> of
> what child needs to make up for poor/picky eating.  Parents are focusing 
> on
> as close to whole foods diet as possible but child is extremely picky.
> Parents would like to try the zinc option but are unsure what product to 
> use
> and how much.  No known food allergies.
>
>
>
> Any thoughts here?

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