Weaning off a bottle at age 4 with autism

My son is 4.5 years old and is autistic.  He takes melatonin every night to sleep.  Because I have never been able to figure out how to give him medication in tablet form, he still takes a bottle with formula every night.  I am petrified to wean him but know we need to.

Any ideas on how to give a child with oral aversions medications?  How can I wean him off the bottle after so long?

Any help is appreciated!  Thanks!!!

[Athena_M]

My son is 4 and has mild autism.  He has seen me take my medicine and swallow it and he actually takes his medicine, puts it in his mouth and swallows.  Have you tried that yet?  

To wean him switch to a sippy cup first.  Walmart has some that are a dollar (the cheap ones work better).  

It will be hard to wean him because it is part of his bedtime routine.  Plus he is getting so much nutrition from the formula.  When my son went off formula he started having new health problems like colds and fever.   You might have to start giving him some vitamins or something.  


Now after I give my son his medicine that he swallows, he gets to eat 2 gummy bear vitamins.  So it is kinda like a fun thing for him to swallow the meds.  

Good Luck and keep me posted.