So my gorgeous 8yo boy has been diagnosed with ASD, adhd (emphasis on the h more than the a), ODD, and anxiety.
ASD diagnosed at 2.5, the others this year.
He has been prescribed meds to curb the hyperactivity and anxiety a bit, and has a vitamin D deficiency, so has tablet form supplements for that too (we tried effervescent drink and chewable tablet but he hated the taste, dr thought a tablet might be easier as just goes straight down, no taste)
So he tried, and he tried to swallow his tablets, but couldn't get it down, his sensory issues made him gag and he gave up, as he does when he's scared he can't do something, saying "I'm just not a tablet swallower, I'll never be able to do it"
How do you teach your kids to swallow tablets?? Any tricks to avoid the gag reflex? Any tips to help him overcome the fear of failure?
3 Replies
Firstly, back to your doctor as many of medicines come in liquid form, or can be made into a liquid at a compounding pharmacy.
It can take a long time to learn to swallow, and I have taught plenty of kids to do it, but you don't want to delay the medication.
You start with a hard non cooked grain of rice. And a lot of liquid. Instruct him to put it in the back of the tongue and get him to drink. Offer lots of praise and reward for trying to swallow. It can take a few attempts. Once they can consistently swallow a grain of rice, then you can move to something bigger like a tic tac or mini m&m.
There are also special tablet swallowing cups you can get, in case it's more of a psychological block to swallowing.,
Cant help with tablets, but with the negative attitude, add YET.
Nobody is a 'tablet swallower'. There are people who have tried and tried until tehy can do it. And there are people who cant do it Yet.
Praise trying. Model trying even when its hard and you want to give up.