Autism - need some advice

My son’s daycare teacher has concerns that he could be showing early signs of autism and the reason she thinks that is because he is refusing to touch/finish his lunch box. Basically she doesn’t want to feed him and wants him to finish his lunch box independently. Last Monday, she took a video of him showing how disinterested he was in the food and how he was “daydreaming” and not interested in picking up the food. This has never happened before so its not like he doesn’t know how to eat or pick up his food. I feel refusing food at this age is pretty normal but wanted to get other mom’s opinions too. My hubby and I are from India and we come from a culture where we feed kids upto they are five so that’s totally normal to us. My son responds to his name, can sign nursery rhymes, knows colors, fruits and numbers upto 10, loves to pretend and play. He also loves to play with kids and besides the eating part nothing is really concerning about him. Do you think I need to get him tested?

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I think you need to change a daycare

I have a master's in early education. I would disagree with this "teacher". It's important to note, most day care teachers are not licensed teachers. Bring up the concern with your pediatrician next time you see them but I don't think this is anything to worry about. At most, there may be a texture avoidance thing. You would see the same at home. This sounds more to me like he doesn't feel the feeding environment is safe. But that's with the little info I have. We are definitely having food refusals and with things he used to love. And days he eats little to nothing. Lunch is always a smaller meal.

Thanks this is super helpful!🥰

I agree with Ashley. Not wanting to eat at a scheduled time would not cause alarm for me. Even a potential sensory issue with food by no means warrants assessing for autism. Unfortunately there’s lots of misinformation online, but never hurts to run it by your pediatrician for ease of mind. If you have any concerns- I’d look out for speech delays, repetitive behaviors, fixations (abnormal obsessions) and “abnormal” emotional responses to disruptions in things like routines, particular behaviors, etc.

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