Is this normal for an Autism spectrum child?

[davidsmom184]

DH is away on business, so it was just me and DS, who has PDD  DS, with signing(I've been teaching him and myself), asked for his dad, but I told him he was 'away working'. He pouted and refused to eat. Is this a normal kid thing or a AS kid thing? I reluctantly wrapped up his food for later, but lately his fixated on cookies and will no doubt prefer them. What do I do then?

Edited by davidsmom184 - 11/12/10 at 4:39pm

[AnalogWife]

How old is DS?

[AllyRae]

It sounds like he's out of routine (understandably...if your dh usually comes home at a certain time, like around meal time, he might associate meal time with daddy coming home).  It also sounds like he's sad and misses his dad, which is also understandable. 

Does your DH usually come home before or during a meal?  He might not think it's time to eat if his dad isn't home yet...

I don't really have any advice other than to maybe work with this a little since he's out of his routine--you may have to change meals, and instead maybe keep a tray of healthy "snacky" foods (cut up chicken, veggies, pretzels, fruit, cheese, etc.) out and let him graze until he can get back in his routine--especially if he associates the full dinner with your dh being home.

[davidsmom184]

DS is almost 3. Thanks for the Advice. My husband usually makes it for dinner.

[AllyRae]

My DS (also has autism) associates certain events with the timing of other events, and if event A happens every day before event B happens, and one day event A doesn't happen, then in his head, event B can not happen no matter what.  So, maybe that's what's going on with your ds...since your dh is always home before dinner, maybe your ds thinks that he can't have dinner until your dh comes  home, and that dinner only happens after your dh gets home?