Need more Help!! You were all so helpfull with the problem I have with my

My son was evaluated in September for Autism. My husband and I filled out this huge questionnaire on his various behaviors. It was discovered (and was not a huge surprise) that he is very hyperactive, and certainly has a problem with focusing. He does have problems sitting still at the table. He takes some bites, then runs around the table. Or he eats while half sitting. It was hard to keep him in a high chair as well, as he liked to climb out all the time, but we haven't had a high chair for him since he was about 2 yrs old. The behavioral support person from his school suggested using a timer (you have to figure out if it's better that he can see it, or better if he cannot). Get him to sit at the table for a few minutes. Eventually you want him to sit for let's say 10 minutes. Warn him that if he gets up, he's done. If he gets up, take his plate away. He won't like it, and he'll probably freak out. But you have to make him learn that you're serious. He won't starve- this is something the behavioral support person told me. I often ask my son if he's done eating. He says no, and goes back to the table. I warn him that if he gets up again, he's done. He sometimes does, and I take his plate away, and he doesn't get it back. He screams for a minute, then he's over it and goes off to play. You could also explain to him that he has to sit at the table until the timer goes off. I did that with my son, but he was focused more on the timer than he was on his food, so we took the timer out of his line of vision. He may only sit for 5 minutes, but if he's eating food during even 5 minutes, he's still getting something in his tummy. If everybody sits at the table and don't get up, I think it helps somewhat, too. My daughter isn't allowed to get up unless she's all done, and my husband and I try not to get up if we can help it. LOL

Well you should let him stand because you don't want him not eating. If he didn't have autism then you'd just have a case of a stubborn child but if he does then his wants are a little harder to understand than other children's. Just find out if he has autism and do some research on the disorder and find out what you can do about it. Sorry I couldn't be of more help I've never had to deal with an autistic child before.

Have you tried a booster seat? Ya know, the kind that strap onto a regular dining chair. He might like the feeling of freedom from being strapped in. I switched my son when he was 15 mos old. He absolutely HATED the highchair.. There wasn't much room in it. I hope that you find the answer soon.

If he is eating ok, I would just let him continue doing it and maybe gradually introduce changes to get him where he needs to be. Not just immediately force something on him. Maybe say ok, but for this snack can you please sit. Maybe just have certain things for him to eat sitting. Maybe his favorite snacks or foods. Then gradually try to get him to do it more. I would also talk to the doctor. They might have a better idea. If he is autistic then you will probably be seeing a doctor pretty regularly, and that dr. should be able to help with coping mechanisms.

I'd suggest finding out if he has autism first. If he actually does, then maybe he does need to stand when he eats. It could make him nervous sitting down. Maybe being "locked up" in a chair or any kind of confinement is scary for him and he doesn't want to deal with it at all.

that's why you go for evaluation to know what he really has. just wait for your doctors decision.

I can understand the frustration, but all kids do need to learn how to act properly (though they will never completely accomplish this while they are little). One thing about kids to remember, they will only eat when they are hungry, and if they are hungry enough, they will eat. Another thing that may be helpful, is try to make sure their are foods he likes, and you might even have him "help" you prepare it. Kids love to help and feel important, even if its something simples like pouring milk in a bowl.

it is hard to ask little child to eat or others. when i was yong,i was the same as that. you can try your best to ask them,but not too hard.

maybe give him something to eat or play while you stip him. i think most children are like that when they are young and moms had a hard time stripping them.

i have had that problem with my daughter and what i use to do was to sit down with her while she was eating and they she would sit down but if i wasnt in the same room with her she would stand up you do not want to fustrate your boy because it will only upset him and he wont eat.i wouldnt let him stand in his chair cause he could get hurt.

no yaar i cant help on this

my son was very active when he was three too and he didnt always want to sit in a high chair. i bought him a small table and chair where he could take his meals. He would have to eat ahead of me so that i can give him my full attention.

i think you should understand a child who has an autism. just what the others said, just let him stand in highchair but take precautions, in order for him to eat. it's really hard to manage taking care a child with autism at first but you will be able to get used to it. but always keep an eye on your son because an autistic child doesn't know what is dangerous or not. he could possibly climb high places like towers or trees. there was a case in our country who climb on a tower and fell (he was also an autistic child). so please take care of your son.

I don't know because I don't have a son, sorry

Try sitting him in a chair with a booster if needed. He may feel the highchair is confining. With a regular chair even if he insists on standing he will have a larger surface to stand on and be more stable. I wouldn't worry about him not eating enough, as long as he isn't severely underweight for his age, some kids are just naturally light. I don't really know enough about autism to give you really good advice, but it would seem to be that repeating actions and allowing him to mimic might induce him to sit at meals, minus the high chair.

Some kids simply refuse high chairs point blank. I put books on a dining chair covered with plastic and used a dressing gown cord for a seatbelt it worked for me. Most of all try to be consistent. Letting him stand should not happen as it only reinforses the bad behaviour and you will have problem later on.

First, if your child doesn't like to sit in dinner, just let him stand, because no one can demonstrate that people eat more when they sit in a chair than they stand. Second, it's the good choice to ask for a doctor's opinion. Some experienced doctor may have seen lots of cases like your son's. The doctor will give you some good advice.

Let him stand.