Throwing up when upset.

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My son throws up anytime he gets upset. I am wondering if this is common for children on the spectrum, or if it is related to his anxiety? He has always been like this. Anytime he cries he just starts throwing up where ever he is, and that makes him more upset. I spoke to his OT, who was supposed to give me suggestions to calm him, but she never got back to me and he was discharged. I also spoke to his doctor, and she just did breathing techniques with him (he's 5). Has anyone else experienced this with their child?

I'm not a child, but after not throwing up for years, I threw up my entire supper, a little over a week ago. I was walking into the main building, where I live that my building is attatched to. Two very young adults half-heartedly held open the door for me. The girl let go of the door, two seconds before I walked inside. I said thank you in a disgruntled way. Being of the same temperamental and moral fabric of my role model, Mick Avory of The Kinks, I got really upset and very sensitive about it. I ranted on about the modern world and modern NT kids, 25 and younger and how they have no manners. My stomach felt really funny, and I've ended up having the runs and puking, at the same time. Due to a medical problem, I was able to think to sit on the toilet and hold up a plastic bag. That was the first time I got really sick, since I was 18.

my daughter does this. There was a thread about this not too long ago. Can't find it now.

For my daughter, it is a choking that leads to throwing up. Sometimes I can prevent it but I couldn't when she was younger. She did this even as a toddler. For her, I think it is anxiety and a feeling of choking, leading to panic and then vomiting. She also has chronic stomach aches which could be related.

She doesn't do it as much as she used to but she doesn't have those GIANT meltdowns as much as she used to. I think the only thing you can do is try to prevent the meltdowns. Also, watch for acid erosion in the throat which further exacerbates the problem (rinse well after vomiting).

I think it is true that the best way to help my son is to prevent the meltdown, or buffer it. Of course that is not so easy. The only positive thing about him throwing up is that he forgets why he was upset, calms down, and it’s over. It's like he has an overflow of emotions and they all come out. Then it’s like he was never anxious at all. Maybe it has turned in to a subconscious coping mechanism :/

Chronos, it could be GI related, as all my children have reflux. hmmmm

I used to do this...and still do it! My grandma, who is 88...and no doubt is undiagnosed ASD also does this...sigh...My son has never done this...I have taught him to meditate, etc...and take deep breaths when he's stressed etc...I taught him when he was about 4-5...he's 9 and still does this when he is stressed...even tells ME to do it when he sees I am stressed...

My son deliberately gags himself and tries to vomit when he is upset. Firmly telling him to stop usually works. Your child's issue may be completely different, though.

I used to feel sick to my stomach when I get upset over a change. Now it's been years since I last had it. I have never actually thrown up.

Yes.

Why was your son discharged from OT? It sounds like he still needs OT. If he is vomiting during or after a meltdown its probably safe to say that it is a physical reaction to stress however like Chronos suggested I would bring this up to his doctor and see if you can get it to see a pediatric GI specialist. Most of them have probably dealt with spectrum kids before as this tends to be very common. My 8 year old son (Aspergers) had a mild problem with this when he was younger but we have found ways to derail his meltdowns so he does not reach the vomiting stage. If I were you I would contact the doctor and whoever is handling your sons therapy at the same time. Excessive vomiting, over time can be bad for his teeth and for the lining of his throat and esophagus not to mention his nutrition (if it is a few times in a day).

Just be aware that we went to GI doc and they wanted to scope my daughter (not just an upper GI which is bad enough). I ended up refusing because I did not see any easy way of getting her to comply with the procedure, didn't want her put under general anethesia for something that they would just give her the same meds for that they had her on. So, what I am saying is that your PDoc can prescribe the Prevacid for the acid erosion without the invasive procedure. And they can look into the throat without an invasive procedure like the scope. FYI.