7 Yr. Old Son Still Has Accidents

Hmm, at 7 one would think that peeing or crapping your pants would be quite uncomfortable and embarassing, not something you would do to get attention. I think I would get a second opinion from another pediatrician or see another psychiatriac doctor on the subject.
I feel for ya...
Maybe the meds he's on don't agree with him... you just never know what a pill can do to ya, especially little kids, they are so vulnerable because their little metabolisms are still quite delicate. I dont think torturing him with cold showers is the way to go tho, that sounds a bit barbaric.
Please seek some different professional advice.

After you rule out a physical or medical issue, I would take him to an occupational therapist. He may not be getting the sensory feed back he needs, and will have other issues too. Many ADHD kids have theses issues, and it is not uncommon for them to claim responsibility for something they cannot control, to a seven year old, it seems better to say that they "meant" to do something than to admit that they cannot stop.

M.

S.,
Please don't punish him like that--it's cruel.
Talk to his doctor. Ask about encopresis.
He may not be able to control this.

I hope you'll talk to his doctor about the accidents. There's a possibility he doesn't know he has to go. Especially if he's ever been prone toward constipation, there's a very real possibility he's developed a condition called encopresis. This is when stool collects and hardens in the bowel, causing it to expand an become numb. Fresh stool, needing a way out, forces itself past the blockage, and causes accidents that the child can't tell are coming. The bowel can also press on the bladder, causing pee accidents.

Cold showers are awfully harsh. And punishment of any sort is harsh if your son really can't help it. I'd sure eliminate the possibility of a medical problem first, and then work with other causes, possibly emotional.

Does your son indicate that he really doesn't care that he's having these accidents, or does he seem uncomfortable about you finding out? I'd sure want to talk to him about what this means to him. There's almost always a reason for any kid behavior, and in my experience with many kids over a few decades, most reasons can be addressed without punishment. The very wise book How to Talk So Kids Will Listen, and Listen So Kids Will Talk is an excellent resource for helping kids open up about their issues, and also helping them participate in finding solutions to most common behavioral problems.

Have you talked to the pediatrician or to a specialist? Some kids bladders do develop at a slower rate and kids can have issues beyond 7. My daughter was having nightime issues up until about 6 months ago (she is 7) and I was told by pediatrician it happens and is more prevalent in boys actually. One other issue she brought up is constipation. Some times when kids are having constipation or holding their bowel movements their lower intensine can stretch and they may lose some sensation and may not actually know the need to use bathroom. Now I cant speak for ADHD and how that plays a factor, but im guessing he may be a bit embarassed too so punishing may not be answer. Good luck and i would definitely see a urologist or some specialist to rule out any medical issues beyond ADHD that may be happening.

Please take him to the Dr and see what they say. I don't know any 7 year old that will pee on themselves at school intentionally. If he is there are other issues that need to be dealt with. Since kids are cruel they will laugh and that's not something kids will normally want to bring on themselves. And it could be an issue with his meds too. Please don't punish him for this get to the bottom of what is causing it. Cause if he really can't help it your punishments could really make him resent you.

Good luck and God Bless!

We have had a lot of luck in our office with this. My husband is a chiropractor in Mansfield and he actually works very closely with Autism/ADHD/ADD. There are holistic approached if you are interested. Clearing out his spine helps put an end to the accidents as well. Dr. Todd Elsner is in the process of moving offices. We have a move in special going on right now. First visit is on us! If you are interested please call ###-###-####.