My son is 5 and picky too. Also on the spectrum.
Between 18 -24 months, something changed. By the time he was 30-34 months he was eating circle peanut butter sandwiches 99% of the time. I worried that he wouldn't grow healthy or strong.
Grocery shopping became a frustrating task. I felt helpless at what to buy when I looked down at an almost empty space in the cart for my son. On most trips, it was a loaf of bread and the largest jar of peanut butter I could find.
Thanks to some food therapy with an occupational therapist, his father and I learned he liked other things besides circle peanut butter sandwiches. Mostly sugary things, like fruit snacks. I said okay, at least he won't die of starvation. We can always give him something sweet. Fruit snacks became a staple, but we also tried to give other sweet items, such as fresh fruits and Gerber yogurt melts.
I am grateful that circle peanut butter sandwiches have expanded to all the flavors of uncrustables: honey and peanut butter, strawberry and peanut butter, grape and peanut butter, Nutella, and plain peanut butter.
I can't exactly say when the switch occurred to eating more food. Most of the time we had to take it one day at a time. Other times by the minutes. Or seconds. But the best advice I got that I will pass on to you is don't give up.
I still remember the days I dreamed he would eat more than circle peanut butter sandwiches.
Last edited: August 21, 2021
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