Autism Parenting Magazine - Issue 156 

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Dear Readers,

As we head into the fall season, and for some, the beginning of a new school year, there may be many changes happening in your child’s life. With change may come a variety of physical or emotional issues, especially for a child on the spectrum. Experiencing everything from butterflies flitting around inside the belly to an overwhelming sense of anxiety can make eating more difficult than it might already be, leaving parents feeling even more concerned. This month’s theme is “Picky Eating,” and many parents experience this with their children, whether or not they have autism. Finding just the right nutrition, dealing with children who don’t like the textures of certain foods, or combating various eating disorders can make a parent’s job that much more difficult. We hope this issue provides some help and hope for you and your child.

Speaking of changes, here at Autism Parenting Magazine, we are happy to have Joshua Carstens as our new editor. He comes to us with over ten years of experience as a journalist, writer, and editor, having worked as a senior reporter and producer for some of the most influential media outlets in South Africa, including News24. Welcome Joshua!

If you have a child who is a finicky eater, Joshua has written about the “10 Ways to Deal with Picky Eating,” providing some practical tips to help with this problem. Usually, before children know the difference between foods and tastes, they are provided milk from their mother or a particular formula, and as children get older, they are introduced to cow’s milk. Although there has been some controversy and discussion about this, there are some studies that claim that camel’s milk might actually have some benefits for children with autism. Donnesa McPherson focuses on this in her article, “Camel’s Milk for Autism: What Are the Benefits?”

While we think of picky eaters as children who prefer one food over another or prefer not to eat foods with certain tastes or textures, there are some children who enjoy or need to chew on non-food items like their clothing or certain toys. Donnesa McPherson has also written about this topic in her piece, “Do We Need a Chewy Toy for Autism?” While that habit might seem to be more challenging than harmful, there is an eating disorder called pica where people crave and need to chew on substances, like paper or rocks, that provide no nutrition. While it isn’t exclusive to people with ASD, it is higher in this community. You can gain some more insight and information in Claire Delano’s “Help! My Child is Eating Paper, Soil, Rocks…”

Since picky eating can play havoc with a child’s nutrition and gut health, it is important to know about any treatments or options that are available. Take a look at Emily Ansell Elfer’s article, “Can a Fecal Transplant Reduce Autism Symptoms?” This article explains the procedure that is being used to help with healthy bacteria production while treating stomach issues.
 
If your child is dealing with any of these dietary or mental health issues, first and foremost, you want to provide them with help. Take a look as Sheryl Wright shares “7 Benefits of ABA Therapy Services for Kids With Autism.” As parents who spend much of our time assisting and encouraging our children, we need to have some fun while doing that. Jeremy Brown’s, “The Most Suitable Games for People on the Spectrum” might help you find some ways to engage in some good play.

As the leaves change to brilliant colors, the air turns crisp as a tangy apple, or you pull out that warm sweater, you might want to fall into a cozy chair and enjoy all this issue has to offer.
 
Happy reading!

Mark Blakey
Founder
Autism Parenting Magazine

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