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Refusal to eat solids at 6 1/2 yr old
Hello, I've read your post from 2007 regarding eating issues & your child. I'm curious to know how everything turned out for him?
I too have a mental health background & am struggling to find a way to help my son. I have a 6 1/2 boy who is refusing to eat everything except yogurt (1 type & brand only), Pedialite Popsicles & smoothies (milk & protein only. When I sneak in spinach, fruit, chia he examines every grain & refuses to drink it.) He will comment on how good dinner smells, how badly he wants to eat it & how hungry he is. He refuses to eat by saying "he can't". He waivers between his throat hurts or fear of choking.
History
Sensitive boy, great in school, sports, compliant at home overall, cleanly, loves routine & structure, very intuitive, makes friends easily, first born out of 3, loves baby bro & normal discord w sister, cautious since infant, self esteem isn't as good - lacks confidence in self.
No full blown anxiety disorder however has developed anxiety symptoms/ behaviors this year. Started out school based about work completion then being late to school. Now this. A month ago he choked on a hard candy in public & was very embarrassed. Last weekend choked on a jelly bean. On the first 2 days We thought this new behavior was a result of a scratched throat from bean. It's been 5 days now. I know deep down its behavioral, but why?
It's horribly difficult to see my child doing this to himself. I'm trying so hard to look inward at what I'm doing to cause some of this. Please share any/ all insight, comments & feedback. I'm at a loss. As a previous hm professional (who resigned to take care of my own kids & not others) I find myself stumped unable to find the right answers. I know that in this role I'm the mom & not the therapist. I never realized how important this distinction is until now. Uuuggggg!
I too have a mental health background & am struggling to find a way to help my son. I have a 6 1/2 boy who is refusing to eat everything except yogurt (1 type & brand only), Pedialite Popsicles & smoothies (milk & protein only. When I sneak in spinach, fruit, chia he examines every grain & refuses to drink it.) He will comment on how good dinner smells, how badly he wants to eat it & how hungry he is. He refuses to eat by saying "he can't". He waivers between his throat hurts or fear of choking.
History
Sensitive boy, great in school, sports, compliant at home overall, cleanly, loves routine & structure, very intuitive, makes friends easily, first born out of 3, loves baby bro & normal discord w sister, cautious since infant, self esteem isn't as good - lacks confidence in self.
No full blown anxiety disorder however has developed anxiety symptoms/ behaviors this year. Started out school based about work completion then being late to school. Now this. A month ago he choked on a hard candy in public & was very embarrassed. Last weekend choked on a jelly bean. On the first 2 days We thought this new behavior was a result of a scratched throat from bean. It's been 5 days now. I know deep down its behavioral, but why?
It's horribly difficult to see my child doing this to himself. I'm trying so hard to look inward at what I'm doing to cause some of this. Please share any/ all insight, comments & feedback. I'm at a loss. As a previous hm professional (who resigned to take care of my own kids & not others) I find myself stumped unable to find the right answers. I know that in this role I'm the mom & not the therapist. I never realized how important this distinction is until now. Uuuggggg!
As you have mentioned that your son has complained that his throat hurts, it would be a good idea to get that checked out by the doctor to rule out any problems with his throat and tonsils.
It does appear though that he has got a mental block with having had the bad experience of choking when eating the sweets twice.
Because he is commenting how good dinner smells but won't eat, it appears that he still has an interest in the food, but is too frightened to try to eat it, this could be linked to his experience or he may have a painful throat or tonsil problem.
My grandson is 10 and we have had a problem with him for a number of years with regard to his eating. He is very selective what he eats and we feel he too has a mental issue with food. The only meat he will eat is Richmonds skinless pork thin sausages. He does have huge tonsils I must admit. He saw a dietician who has referred him for a review with a child psychologist which he will see in March.
Even though your son is refusing foods at the moment (good thing that he is eating the yogurt at least), encourage him to drink plenty of fluids. If he is OK with soups, try that and also jello. It is important that he does not get dehydrated.
I would suggest that the first step is to make the appointment with the doctor to examine your son's throat and then take things from them slowly.
Best of luck.
It does appear though that he has got a mental block with having had the bad experience of choking when eating the sweets twice.
Because he is commenting how good dinner smells but won't eat, it appears that he still has an interest in the food, but is too frightened to try to eat it, this could be linked to his experience or he may have a painful throat or tonsil problem.
My grandson is 10 and we have had a problem with him for a number of years with regard to his eating. He is very selective what he eats and we feel he too has a mental issue with food. The only meat he will eat is Richmonds skinless pork thin sausages. He does have huge tonsils I must admit. He saw a dietician who has referred him for a review with a child psychologist which he will see in March.
Even though your son is refusing foods at the moment (good thing that he is eating the yogurt at least), encourage him to drink plenty of fluids. If he is OK with soups, try that and also jello. It is important that he does not get dehydrated.
I would suggest that the first step is to make the appointment with the doctor to examine your son's throat and then take things from them slowly.
Best of luck.
COMMUNITY LEADER
When I first read this I thought of Sensory Processing Disorder -
http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/
And we have a very experienced parent who is the CL here - http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Sensory-Integration-Disorder-SID/show/1396
who has a son with SPD and will be very helpful with questions.
However, SPD is something that (I think) does not suddenly appear.
Take a look at the first link for all of the possible symptoms and see if he also has any of them - like sensitive to textures, sounds, light, etc.
It may well be that this is a reaction to the choking and that particular thing can be dealt with.
I was worried about his anxiety symptoms. However, he is only 6 (probably in first grade) and with two younger siblings. That alone is/can be very anxiety producing. I've seen it happen on this forum many times. The CL on the SID forum referenced above, Specialmom, son at age 4 was a mess (to put it nicely). He is doing great now thanks to the proper intervention. My point is that I think that if your son has SPD, you would have noticed it sooner - but I am not the expert here at all. That is one reason to check out the first web site.
So lets go with the possibility of the choking being the cause. I say this because if he has SPD there are numerous other things to deal with. Although, the food sensitive would also probably work here.
Main thing is to slowly introduce chewable foods back to him. Not at dinner, but during the day, bit by bit. Maybe something like a single apple slice. Tell him to chew it 15 times and wash it down with water. Point being you need to let him practice with a safe food and just a little bit of it.
Get him involved in counting how many times he chews. Try different foods. Oatmeal, bananas should be no problem. Actually, try a single jelly bean and have him chew it up really well. I think (hope) he just needs to regain his confidence.
Now, if you check out the SPD site and that rings bells, then you definitely want to contact Specialmom.
Hope this helps.
http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/
And we have a very experienced parent who is the CL here - http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Sensory-Integration-Disorder-SID/show/1396
who has a son with SPD and will be very helpful with questions.
However, SPD is something that (I think) does not suddenly appear.
Take a look at the first link for all of the possible symptoms and see if he also has any of them - like sensitive to textures, sounds, light, etc.
It may well be that this is a reaction to the choking and that particular thing can be dealt with.
I was worried about his anxiety symptoms. However, he is only 6 (probably in first grade) and with two younger siblings. That alone is/can be very anxiety producing. I've seen it happen on this forum many times. The CL on the SID forum referenced above, Specialmom, son at age 4 was a mess (to put it nicely). He is doing great now thanks to the proper intervention. My point is that I think that if your son has SPD, you would have noticed it sooner - but I am not the expert here at all. That is one reason to check out the first web site.
So lets go with the possibility of the choking being the cause. I say this because if he has SPD there are numerous other things to deal with. Although, the food sensitive would also probably work here.
Main thing is to slowly introduce chewable foods back to him. Not at dinner, but during the day, bit by bit. Maybe something like a single apple slice. Tell him to chew it 15 times and wash it down with water. Point being you need to let him practice with a safe food and just a little bit of it.
Get him involved in counting how many times he chews. Try different foods. Oatmeal, bananas should be no problem. Actually, try a single jelly bean and have him chew it up really well. I think (hope) he just needs to regain his confidence.
Now, if you check out the SPD site and that rings bells, then you definitely want to contact Specialmom.
Hope this helps.
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