Mush
Hiker
As a child I can’t begin to tell you how much of a big deal eating was. It was probably the most major issue I faced on a daily basis with my family and socially. The hypersensitivity to textures in food (among other things), has been a huge problem in my life. And continues to be so occasionally.
Recently at a social gathering the idea was to order pizza for dinner. Both couples we were having dinner with known about my autism. The issue came when ordering.
I can only eat your basic, boring, cheese pizza from a shop. At home I can make my own with more ingredients because I put things on that aren’t normally considered pizza toppings.
If something goes into my mouth that is not texturally acceptable, I will quite literally throw it up or spit it out. I have no control over this. It has happened while eating out at restaurants, having dinner at someone’s house, parties, weddings, basically every place you don’t want it happening.
As a child and teenager it caused a LOT of problems, particularly with my mother, who would verbally abuse me and shame and guilt me for hours each night for refusing to eat certain foods (peas, anything slimy feeling, like tomatoes, eggplant etc.). I can’t tell you how many times I fell asleep at the table because that’s where I had to stay until bed time if I didn’t eat what was on my plate.
So back to dinner the other night. I actually stopped the entire conversation and said quite clearly that part of autism is a strong and immovable aversion to certain tastes and textures, and that no, you cannot train yourself to overcome it.
One of the ladies said “It’s not all about you.” to me. To which I replied, “I know, but you all keep harassing me about what I will and won’t eat, so I’m telling you why so you don’t do it anymore.”
It stopped everyone in their conversation. My wife was very supportive of me and backed me up.
Of all the issues autism has brought me, food has been one of the most difficult. As a child there were many times I would not eat because the texture and certain flavours of food meant I was physically unable to consume what was on offer.
Thankfully my wife is a tremendously good cook and makes virtually every meal texturally perfect. She has been a great blessing in my life.
Autism is part of you. It’s as immovable from you as your skull. The issues it brings are daily and life long. Being misunderstood is something you must deal with your entire life.
I often leave a social situation/interaction wondering if I said the right things. If my posture and facial expressions were right. Did I talk too much about a topic. Did I make them bored. Did I appear involved and interested.
I know people notice the odd behaviour. My wife often tells me that people ask her about me and why don’t do certain ‘normal’ things.
Dunno, guess I’m just venting a little. I’m sick and tired of people treating me like a second class citizen sometimes because I’m not neurotypical.
Recently at a social gathering the idea was to order pizza for dinner. Both couples we were having dinner with known about my autism. The issue came when ordering.
I can only eat your basic, boring, cheese pizza from a shop. At home I can make my own with more ingredients because I put things on that aren’t normally considered pizza toppings.
If something goes into my mouth that is not texturally acceptable, I will quite literally throw it up or spit it out. I have no control over this. It has happened while eating out at restaurants, having dinner at someone’s house, parties, weddings, basically every place you don’t want it happening.
As a child and teenager it caused a LOT of problems, particularly with my mother, who would verbally abuse me and shame and guilt me for hours each night for refusing to eat certain foods (peas, anything slimy feeling, like tomatoes, eggplant etc.). I can’t tell you how many times I fell asleep at the table because that’s where I had to stay until bed time if I didn’t eat what was on my plate.
So back to dinner the other night. I actually stopped the entire conversation and said quite clearly that part of autism is a strong and immovable aversion to certain tastes and textures, and that no, you cannot train yourself to overcome it.
One of the ladies said “It’s not all about you.” to me. To which I replied, “I know, but you all keep harassing me about what I will and won’t eat, so I’m telling you why so you don’t do it anymore.”
It stopped everyone in their conversation. My wife was very supportive of me and backed me up.
Of all the issues autism has brought me, food has been one of the most difficult. As a child there were many times I would not eat because the texture and certain flavours of food meant I was physically unable to consume what was on offer.
Thankfully my wife is a tremendously good cook and makes virtually every meal texturally perfect. She has been a great blessing in my life.
Autism is part of you. It’s as immovable from you as your skull. The issues it brings are daily and life long. Being misunderstood is something you must deal with your entire life.
I often leave a social situation/interaction wondering if I said the right things. If my posture and facial expressions were right. Did I talk too much about a topic. Did I make them bored. Did I appear involved and interested.
I know people notice the odd behaviour. My wife often tells me that people ask her about me and why don’t do certain ‘normal’ things.
Dunno, guess I’m just venting a little. I’m sick and tired of people treating me like a second class citizen sometimes because I’m not neurotypical.
