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View Full Version : My 19 year old son eats too much


Tracylampher
Jan 13, 2010, 04:40 PM
He has autism and he will eat and then go to bed, get up, eat again. This goes on all day long. He is 19 and comes home from his transition school at 12:40pm and just starts eating. He does chores and gets paid $20.00 a week but spends it on pop, bad snacks, etc. His father talks to him about it and he says I know dad I'll just starve so people will quit ing about what I eat. We have taken him to doctors, who have told him he needs to loose weight. He says his knees and back hurt him. We told him that's because he doesn't exercize and he sleeps too much. We buy groceries and 3 days later he is out of food. We have to separate food because he will eat other peoples food. ( he sneaks food) his father just talks to him and "says" he's going to lockup the food but he just says stuff. He doesn't take any action. My BIGGEST worrie is that he will get diabeties. He is WAYout of control. I noticed he eats when he's bord the most. We got him glasses last year and now they rub on his forehead due to getting fat. I am beginning to feel as if he runs our house and life. He will get smart with his mouth and tell you he will do what he wants. Out. Of. Control.

Stratmando
Jan 13, 2010, 04:54 PM
I would try to keep only Healthy food around, or things that are good for him, even stuff he doesn't like, If you are Hungry enough you will eat anything, even Food that is good for you.
If you keep the Frige Stocked, it can be depleted, Try to get him into a hobby that he has interest in.

Tracylampher
Jan 13, 2010, 05:06 PM
We do buy healthy stuff buts its gone in 2-3 days. He will buy junk food anyway with his chore money. We have suggested hobbies but he just says nope not into that. His father works from 1pm - 11pm so he doesn't see all the bad habbits. Sometimes I feel like a tattle tail. He is 19 but mentally he's more like 15. With a bad attitude

Stratmando
Jan 13, 2010, 05:36 PM
I think I would have to Hide extra Food, and slowly release it to last the week?
Maybe on a day to day basis?
May seem cruel.
You don't want worse health problems.

Gemini54
Jan 16, 2010, 07:47 PM
You need to get him involved in other activities that don't involve food. Food is acting as a substitute for the absence of mental and physical stimulation.

Get him involved in some out of school activities, community service, whatever - something that gives him responsibility. Get him involved in exercise or group sports.

Stop the chore money if he's buying junk with it, and put a lock on the fridge. Have plenty of fresh fruit available and tell him that's all he's allowed to eat outside of normal meals.

Tell him that it's his choice to be smart with his mouth, but that there will be consequences.

Fr_Chuck
Jan 16, 2010, 07:51 PM
OK, I will sound rude and a little mean, how about making him ? I know he is 19, but he is living at home and sounds like you are still legally have a guardianship??


20 dollars does not buy that much junk food, if it is not in the house, he does not eat it,