My grandson woke up with a stomach virus and threw up quite a bit a couple days ago. Now it’s as if he’s afraid to eat or sleep for fear of it happening again. He’s 3.5 and pre-verbal. Does this behavior sound ‘normal’? Is there anything special or specific we can do?
Answer:
Thank you for your question! So sorry to hear that your grandson was not feeling well. Being sick can be quite the ordeal for children on the spectrum since they sometimes do not understand what is happening to them. Also, it is common for children and adults on the spectrum to have heightened or very sensitive senses. So the ordeal of throwing up definitely could have scared him and probably did not feel too good either! As far as eating is concerned I would start with his preferred foods to get him to eat again. Also, try pairing a reinforcer with food. For example, if he eats a few bites he can have the iPad or whatever is reinforcing for him! For sleeping I would continue to follow your normal bedtime routine and reassure him that everything is okay and that he is not sick anymore. If he continues to not sleep I would also speak to his pediatrician and ask about Melatonin. That could help him get back into the rhythm of sleeping.
Thank you for your question! So sorry to hear that your grandson was not feeling well. Being sick can be quite the ordeal for children on the spectrum since they sometimes do not understand what is happening to them. Also, it is common for children and adults on the spectrum to have heightened or very sensitive senses. So the ordeal of throwing up definitely could have scared him and probably did not feel too good either! As far as eating is concerned I would start with his preferred foods to get him to eat again. Also, try pairing a reinforcer with food. For example, if he eats a few bites he can have the iPad or whatever is reinforcing for him! For sleeping I would continue to follow your normal bedtime routine and reassure him that everything is okay and that he is not sick anymore. If he continues to not sleep I would also speak to his pediatrician and ask about Melatonin. That could help him get back into the rhythm of sleeping.