4 year old (5 in May) soiling at school

[Senmumma]

Hi, first time poster.

My son started school in September (Reception) and wasn’t potty trained at that point - we had tried numerous time - absolutely not interested.

We cracked the potty training in the October half term and he went back to school in pants - there was the occasional wee accident but nothing terrible.

He has never cared that he has had soiled/full pull ups and would happily sit in them until he leaks, just before the Christmas half term he started soiling his pants at home - he has now started soiling his pants at school - 5 times since Friday.

He won’t tell me/teachers that he’s soiled or wet and honestly doesn’t seem like he knows/cares - his poo is normal - not too soft or too hard so I don’t think it’s constipation related.

He is on the Sen register and has been referred for an autism assessment, he can also be reluctant to talk and has had some speech and language sessions.

Any tips or advice to get us back on track.

Thank you

[Petitou]

Hi there,

It sounds like your son could have trouble with interoception. This is a sensory issue. So he may not feel the need to go to the toilet in the same way as other people or the discomfort of sitting in soiled clothes etc. An Occupational Therapist might be able to help with this. I think because your son is not yet 5 you should be able to self refer for Occupational Therapy. Google it with the name of your Borough and give the service a call. Alternatively the SENDCO at your son's school could help do this or the Health Visitor. If your son finds it hard to communicate verbally at times. Maybe you could have picture cards he can use. Widgit is a good programme for generating these. At school they could schedule in regular loo breaks to try and help with soiling.

Good Luck. Hope things get easier soon.

[Senmumma in reply to Petitou]

After this morning I think you could be absolutely right!

He was nude on the bottom half and soiled sat in the armchair, but he had been ‘playing’ with it and it was all over his hand.

Again didn’t tell us he’d had an accident, it was only when his brother next to him announced he could smell poo that we were alerted to it.

I will have a chat with the school sendco when we go back on Monday and will also give our local therapy one point a call - thank you for the suggestion.