How a new foods program can help
Jamie Fletcher is an autistic four-year old who has refused to drink any liquids for over a year and who only eats chocolate pudding made for babies. Jamie, who lives in Moor Park estate, New York, near North Shields, UK, also puts his fingers into sockets and “terrifies his family with his dangerous and unpredictable behaviour.” Helen Fletcher takes her son every three months to the hospital but, according to a May 30 story in the Evening Chronicle
“I just don’t think anyone knows what to do with him now.
…………….
“All he will eat are these little jars of chocolate pudding and I’ve got to put powdered vitamins in so he gets nutrients. I’m scared about the long-term effect this might have. He is so thin and pale but just violently refuses to have a drink. He has done ever since April last year.”
Ms. Fletcher hopes to “transform her back garden into a safe haven for Jamie, where he can play under the watchful eye of his family on his swing and in his sandpit”; a fundraiser is being held to help raise money.
The article notes that the garden will help “to create a better life” for Jamie. I am wondering also if Ms. Fletcher has been advised about a “new foods program” for him?
My son Charlie, like many autistic children, often chooses to eat only a few foods (frozen vegetables at the moment). Starting when Charlie was three years old, we did a new foods program like this one for him. [N.B.: Please note that while I have provided the link to this “Severe Autism Recovery” website for its new food program, I do not endorse the notion of recovery from autism.] Charlie’s current diet is fairly varied—he eats mostly meat, chicken, fish, vegetables (frozen and non-frozen), some fruits like apples, rice, noodles, French fries, and sushi. Nonetheless, we have to regularly rotate what Charlie eats and introduce new foods, or he tends to want to eat only one or two things, which can be detrimental to his health.
But it doesn’t sound like the staff at North Tyneside General Hospital where Ms. Fletcher takes Jamie have heard of a new foods program. In Autismland seeing one’s child eat something new–a string bean, a piece of chicken—can be a huge thing and can be a small step on the way to creating a “better life.”
3 opinions for How a new foods program can help
Jannalou
May 31, 2006 at 7:13 am
We tried that with one of the kids I used to work with, but he would throw a fit. So finally we added language - “be brave” “just try it” etc. This kid would only eat crunchy food. Toast, grilled cheese, chicken, fried baloney, fried hot dogs, and so on and so forth. Protein and carbs, no veggies or fruit.
Last summer he started eating yogurt - one spoonful of yogurt followed by some of his regular meal - he would eat a whole minigo by the end of August (with much protesting, but he ate it). So at least he was getting fruit that way.
Kristina Chew, PhD
May 31, 2006 at 12:35 pm
Fried baloney! Have you heard how he is doing with his eating now? Charlie hasn’t been into crunchy foods—like chips—for awhile—he also has never been interested in sweet things.
Jannalou
May 31, 2006 at 4:10 pm
He wouldn’t eat the balogna or hot dogs if they weren’t brown (hence cruncy). I doubt his eating habits have changed too much, but at least he’ll eat yogurt now.
Supper typically consisted of grilled cheese (with cheddar cheese on the bread), fried balogna, peanuts, and pretzels. Or a variation on that theme. His dad would make pizza (the best homemade pizza I’ve ever had!) and this kid would eat off the toppings and eat the edge but that’s it.
Most of the stuff we’d get him to try was “just one lick and then you’re done” or “one bite” or something. Other things that we knew he used to like we got stickier about “ten more bites, then you’re done” and counting down to help him see visually how much more to go.
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