It’s not just picky eating! So much of the info I find in my search for help with my Autistic son’s severe sensory feeding issues are all about picky eating. You know the ones, “My son will only eat chicken nuggets and french fries.” No, that is not what I’m talking about.

What I’m talking about is my son, Landon, who can’t chew food and is afraid of putting anything but yogurt or puree in his mouth. He doesn’t know how to use his tongue to maneuver food, he does not know how to chew it, and he certainly wouldn’t know what to do with the food even if he got it chewed. THAT is what I’m talking about.

I WISH we could get to the point where he will only eat chicken nuggets and french fries because at least then he is physically capable of eating. Really eat, as in solid foods, but for now he survives primarily on Pediasure. Vanilla because he wouldn’t want to get too crazy with his flavor. Anyway, I will climb the “picky eating” Mt. Everest later but for now I’m still working on climbing this one.

When I step back and look at the big picture of what we need to achieve to get him eating, I feel like I’m drowning. The longer I look, the worse I feel. It becomes insurmountable, at least in my mind. Not just one MT Everest, but one Mt Everest after another. And, for the record, I’ve always thought people who climb Mt Everest are completely insane. Yet here I am, day after day, attempting to climb my very own Mt. Everest, but what else am I going to do?? Not climb it? Not an option.

I’ve realized the only way to survive this is by taking it day by day (or even minute by minute). And I’m talking teeny, tiny baby steps. It’s more like, “One tiny step for mankind, one giant leap for Landon.” What is the most minuscule non-event to most families is extraordinary in our house.

Let me give you an idea of what I’m talking about. Landon touched a cracker…to his lips…on his own. Cue the fireworks…for real. THAT is what I will be talking about here.

I want you to know that if this is what you’re going through in your life, with your child…you are not alone.  I am right here with you.  I see you and I get it!

I hope you’ll join me on this journey as I try everything imaginable to get my son to eat and hopefully it will help you along the way, too.

As we go, I want to hear about your “little” victories because every one of them deserves to be celebrated.