4 yo son with autism still pooing pants 8 months after starting toilet training should I put him back in nappies?

[DB16111991]

We started toilet training at Christmas time my son got going for a wee after a week he does need prompting to go for a wee sometimes and has the odd accident but generally really good he just leaves it until the last minute/ may not feel it until then.

Poo another story at first I thought he doesn’t know he’s doing it but he takes himself off and tries to withhold so he must know he is. If you catch him he will do it on the toilet but it’s like he just stops pushing and because of this he can do lots of little poos and have accidents. I’ve taken him to GP about constipation he doesn’t think it’s that just withholding. He’s just started school and hasd accidents he has a 1:1 who made it sound like he should wear nappy pants and I’m kind of so fed up of cleaning dirty pants I feel like it too but don’t want to undo his wee progress what should I do? Sometimes we have the odd breakthrough with him going to toilet for a poo but it’s like do once every few months.

[Yaleamanda]

Have a look at the Eric website there is a wealth of information on this subject there.

[Petitou]

Hi there,

This sounds tough. An occupational therapist might be able to help. You could ask the SENDCO at school or self refer depending on where you live I think. Sometimes children on the spectrum have trouble with Introception and internal demand avoidance. Also worth checking out what the toilets are like at school. Lots of children are scared of using the toilets at school and if this is the case you could ask if your son can use a different toilet. You've probably already been doing this but could try building in routine so having a good sit on the toilet about 20 minutes after eating. The same could be done at school. Has the 1:1 noticed a pattern in when he is going. Hopefully it will come with a bit more time. Good luck

[ERIC-Charity Partner]

DB16111991 Withholding often causes a cycle of constipation - check out our link: eric.org.uk/childrens-bowel...