While many children can often be picky eaters, those on the autism spectrum have unique challenges that can sometimes impact their relationship with food.
One little boy with autism can only eat a specific brand of waffles, and things became very difficult when the only brand he prefers was suddenly discontinued.
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His mother knew that something had to be done, and went out of her way to make sure her son had exactly what he needed.
One big problem arose quite suddenly.
As Global News reported, Jerico Roman is a nine-year-old boy from Canada with autism who experiences strong aversions to just about all foods.
“I’ve tried everything including intense feeding therapy but it triggered major anxiety around eating which triggered his migraines which then he stops eating/drinking and regresses,” his mom, Jenna, wrote online . “It’s a vicious cycle.”
However, there is one food that this young boy absolutely adores: Nature’s Path Organic Foods Maple Cinnamon Waffles. Roman easily ate two boxes of waffles each day, and wouldn’t eat anything else.
So when Jenna learned earlier this year that the specific flavor waffles would be discontinued, she understandably went into full panic mode.
After the store-bought waffles were no longer available, Roman’s mom set up a GoFundMe campaign to get help locating any of the waffles that may be still available, and to raise money so she could buy any left.
As she explained, “I’m just trying to feed my son, I’ve been through so much around him just eating, something that would be simple for other children but it’s a extremely hard challenge for my son.”
Jenna set a goal for $5,000, and not did she meet that goal, but she exceeded it.
Roman’s story was shared all across the internet, and eventually caught Nature’s Path Organic Foods’ attention.
The company reached out to Jenna and pledged that they would help make sure that her son had access to his favorite flavor of frozen waffles.
They adapted the mass-produced waffle recipe into an at-home one, so Roman’s mom can make them at home for many years to come. In a recent update shared to their GoFundMe campaign, she revealed she’s currently working to master the formula for Roman to enjoy.
Now getting access to his favorite waffles won’t be a problem for this little boy anymore.
Jenna has also shared that while she’s still trying to perfect the waffle recipe, she’s also find a “feeding therapist that specializes in Oral Aversion, Complex Eating Challenges, Highly Sensitive Gag Reflux, ARFID with Autism and Sensory Processing Disorder.”
“Someone that fully understands how complex and unique Jerico’s situation is, that they are willing to have lots of patience with him,” she wrote online . “Someone that will not push him and trigger any more anxiety around eating for him as that also triggers his migraines.”
Let us know what you think of this story of a mom’s determination to do whatever it takes for her son in the comments below.
h/t: Global News , GoFundMe
