eating and autism

hello im april new to this site just wanted some advice for my 3 year old with autism
how do i get him to chew food he puts it in his mouth and tastes it but wont chew it what can i do to help him ?

[Ridina]

Hi!  I am new to this site too.  I have a bit of advice.  I am a mother of a 51/2 year old with aspergers.  I also have a sister in-law with two special needs children.  She gave me advice years ago that really helped.  This is actually a sensory issue that your child seems to be having and may not be the taste.  Find something he likes like pudding or applesauce and very, very slowly over the course of days, even months introduce the foods such as beef untill eventually he is chewing the entire new food.  Another note:
My oldest daughter is actually the pro at getting my son eat to eat what he does today.  Although I won't kid myself it is still a battle.  She suggests using different words like for instance,  when he puts the foods in his mouth ask him to "touch it with his teeth" rather than the word "chew".  Then make a game and ask him to try "touching" something else.  ask him if it feels funny.  Make it a game- you do it too and the rest of the family!
Let me know how that works!