06/01/2026
I shouldn't have to justify myself, this is supposed to be a support group. I have 3 children with autism. 7yr old has level 3 ASD and is nonverbal. 6yr old has level 1 AuDHD and hypersensitivity and anxiety disorder. 1yr old has level 1 ASD. My husband has Aspergers, ADHD and verbal and written dyslexia. Below was my response to someone asking if others have difficulty with their children eating food. ⬇️
"Yup, 7yr old level 3 ASD and nonverbal, she will go as far as putting the food in her mouth chewing it but then spits it all over the table and floor. We make her clean it up, sit down at the table and try again. Through doing this method of making her sit and eat, we've now been able to add 3 (beans, broccoli and cauliflower) more foods to her routine and dinners. We know for sure she doesn't like capsicum through this method tho. Its like a baby, sometimes it takes them more than 7 times to know whether they like it or not. This won't work for everyone but it did for us."
We (my husband and I and 3 children with different levels of ASD etc) are from New Zealand and are following advice and guidance from her dietician and doctors and specialists. Having autism does not exempt you from discipline. We don't yell and scream at her, we give her paper towels and spray and help her clean up the mess and help her put it in the rubbish. Her doctors and specialist say making her clean up her food is not 'cruel' as some of you have said. The information we recieve could be much different to what you receive in your country. Don't say I'm abusing my child when we are following advice from professional medical practitioners.
We do the best for our children. Unless you have walked in my shoes and lived my daily life with my 3 kids, please don't come at me for how I parent and care for my child(ren) (especially when following medical advice). She is very much loved as are our other children. Our home environment has many toys and sensory items. It has our children's favourite foods and activities too. We have our walls lined with colourful posters and the artwork that our children make.
We don't 'gentle parent' in this household. And we look at what our children can achieve rather than what they can't do. I could continue to write more but then it'd become an essay.
I know this won't sit well with everyone, but if you don't like my comments or posts please just continue to scroll on by rather than calling me abusive. What works for us may not work for you and that is okay.
