Autism feeds plight
By Mark Mcgivern May 22 2004
THE parents of a nine-year-old girl have told how a medical condition means their daughter has to live on a diet of chocolate.
Rachel Scowcroft's mum and dad have struggled for years to feed her regular food but only chocolate suits the palate of the youngster, who suffers from a rare form of autism. Her condition means she is prone to temper tantrums if her diet includes anything other than chocolate.
Rachel's dad David said: 'She never progressed from baby food.
'When we started to give her adult meals, she never made the transition.'
David and his wife Gill sought medical advice and feed her a mix of chocolate bars, chocolate digestives and chocolate buttons.
Window cleaner David, 36, who works as a part-time autism co-ordinator, added: 'Eating disorders are common for youngsters on the autism spectrum.
'It can be as simple as not wanting to eat a particular food or eating a particular colour of food.
'Part of Rachel's obsession is with texture, but she also has very sensitive taste buds.'
Rachel was three when tests revealed she had autistic spectrum disorder.
The condition is similar to Asperger syndrome where some children develop exceptional abilities.
David, of Breighmet, near Bolton, Lancashire, said: 'Rachel could tell the time on a 24-hour clock and count backwards from 100 by the time she was two.
'Things may improve when she's 16. In the meantime, all she can eat is chocolate.
'If she's given the wrong type of chocolate she will get upset about the packaging.
'Rachel's health is very good and she is monitored by an expert paediatrician, but it clearly is a very big worry.'
Rachel, whose 12-year-old sister Jane eats normally, said: 'I love chocolate. I don't want to eat anything else.'
HER DAILY INTAKE
Breakfast Six cubes of milk chocolate, chocolate digestives and water .
Lunch A packet of cheesy crisps, three packets of chocolate stars and two packets of chocolate fingers.
Tea Melted chocolate on cereal and water . Supper Glass of milk.
By Mark Mcgivern May 22 2004
THE parents of a nine-year-old girl have told how a medical condition means their daughter has to live on a diet of chocolate.
Rachel Scowcroft's mum and dad have struggled for years to feed her regular food but only chocolate suits the palate of the youngster, who suffers from a rare form of autism. Her condition means she is prone to temper tantrums if her diet includes anything other than chocolate.
Rachel's dad David said: 'She never progressed from baby food.
'When we started to give her adult meals, she never made the transition.'
David and his wife Gill sought medical advice and feed her a mix of chocolate bars, chocolate digestives and chocolate buttons.
Window cleaner David, 36, who works as a part-time autism co-ordinator, added: 'Eating disorders are common for youngsters on the autism spectrum.
'It can be as simple as not wanting to eat a particular food or eating a particular colour of food.
'Part of Rachel's obsession is with texture, but she also has very sensitive taste buds.'
Rachel was three when tests revealed she had autistic spectrum disorder.
The condition is similar to Asperger syndrome where some children develop exceptional abilities.
David, of Breighmet, near Bolton, Lancashire, said: 'Rachel could tell the time on a 24-hour clock and count backwards from 100 by the time she was two.
'Things may improve when she's 16. In the meantime, all she can eat is chocolate.
'If she's given the wrong type of chocolate she will get upset about the packaging.
'Rachel's health is very good and she is monitored by an expert paediatrician, but it clearly is a very big worry.'
Rachel, whose 12-year-old sister Jane eats normally, said: 'I love chocolate. I don't want to eat anything else.'
HER DAILY INTAKE
Breakfast Six cubes of milk chocolate, chocolate digestives and water .
Lunch A packet of cheesy crisps, three packets of chocolate stars and two packets of chocolate fingers.
Tea Melted chocolate on cereal and water . Supper Glass of milk.
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