I’m told by professionals that one of the hardest behaviors to curb is anything to do with food. This makes sense because my professors have said that the hardest mental illnesses to treat are eating disorders.
When my son was still in utero, all I had to do was think about food and my son would get excited. I know, you think I was imagining it. But literally every time I thought about food, he’d start moving around. From the moment he was born, it was, ”Give me the food now!!” He’s never been able to wait long for food. Think Cookie Monster from Sesame Street. Food has also been one of the biggest triggers for an autism meltdown- Oscar the Grouch.
A psychiatrist explained to me once, that for my child, eating is nirvana. Who wants to give up nirvana?
Not being able to eat when he wants. Not being able to eat what he wants. The food he likes missing from the house? These are all sure to bring a meltdown.
Shopping for food? All of his food that you bought that was supposed to last a week or two? It lasted 24-48 hours. He was not able to control himself. He would eat until he made himself sick. We tried locks on the pantry and fridge but he just broke them all. Doctors kept telling me to only shop for enough food for one day so that he didn’t devour all the food. But that wasn’t practical. We needed to find a different solution.
If consumption of food is a problem at your house, perhaps what is currently working for us might be of some inspiration to you.
First, we put this doorknob on the pantry door. (We also use them on some bedroom doors for safety.) He still has access to any leftovers in the fridge and any fruits and vegetables and is welcome to eat them all he wants. The crackers, chips, sugary foods, and his beloved dill pickles are all found in the pantry. He can have them, but he has to ask for someone to get them for him so that we can monitor how much is being consumed.
The second one has been his ADHD medicine. For YEARS, we did not do stimulant medicines with him because they made him violent. We didn’t need that and neither did he. But when his sleeping disorder got out of control and he spent most of middle school asleep and was starting high school with no change, I decided to try stimulants again.
Wonder of wonder, it worked! He was able to stay awake for more than an hour or two! The unexpected blessing was that it also curbed his eating habits. He’s just not that hungry if he has his meds. We try to get breakfast into him, usually not much and then he might have one snack until after school. When he gets home he’s hungry, but he isn’t devouring my groceries like he has always done.
All this is to say, don’t give up! Keep trying. We fought this for so many years. I’m praying that you will find a solution for the things that you are battling.
If you have a story to tell like this one about special needs, disabilities, faith, or parenting, I want to hear it! Email me at Calleen@anordinarymom.site and if it’s a good fit, I’d love to share it with other readers on my blog.
Calleen
