Is it something to worry about? My grandson has been keeping his food in his mouth for hours, he won't swallow. He is non speaking and autistic. He has lost 30 pounds in the last month.
Q: what do I do for a child who keeps his food in his mouth and won't swallow for hours?
Answers (1)
3/24/09 6:11am
Hello Colleen,
Could you tell us a bit more about your grandson? Is he an adult? Has he lost 30 pounds or 3 pounds? Both are worrisome!
I have worked with many toddlers and children with autism spectrum disorder and feeding issues are very, very common. Often there is a physical problem such as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), food allergy or constipation that contributes to the feeding problem. In addition, there may be sensory issues about eating-taste, texture, color, temperature of the food may be important.
The first step is to try to determine a diagnosis with the primary care doctor or a gastroenterologist. You may need to consult with a feeding team for a child.
Jan Gambino
The Reflux Mom
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By Colleen— Last Modified: 10/19/10, First Published: 03/23/09
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