Ok moms of autistic daughters. I have a problem that is really starting to get out of hand. My daughter is 5 years old and she was fully potty trained #1 and #2 and at night before school started. A week before school started when we came back from vacation, she started going in her underwear again and refuses to use the potty for #2. Like most moms, I put a pull up on her for traveling and because we were staying at a family member's house. She was perfectly fine while with family, but now she's completely regressed for # 2. Every time she goes in her underwear, we make her give herself a bath to clean herself and she throws out her own underwear because washing it doesn't work. I can't get the stench out even after 2-3 washes. Is there something else I can try? Is there a way I can help her make it click in her mind that #2 goes in the potty? I'm also trying to train our 3 year old son who has not been diagnosed with anything yet. Any suggestions? Thanks
FYI-- My daughter is AUTISTIC, she is also not constipated or have anything else wrong with GI tract. She is a healthy child. She is just AUTISTIC. If you do not have an autistic child or have never dealt with one, please do not answer this request.
Thank you all for your support. Being that my daughter is autistic rewards do not work well for her. I'm going to try decorating the bathroom to make it more of a welcoming place instead of just a place to put icky stuff. I'm also going to keep it extra clean in there and smelling nice so that she is not so intimidated. Even I don't like using that bathroom because it is just not welcoming. Thank you again for all the ideas.
I read an interesting article about this - with a case study at the bottom. I think the pictures idea is a good one - like little cartoons that she can emulate maybe?
http://maxweber.hunter.cuny.edu/pub/eres/EDSPC715_MCINTYR...
As for cleaning up the mess. I use Totally Toddler spray. They sell it at Babies R Us, and some Walmarts. I love it! It has saved many a underwear.
As for why this is now happening..hmm. It could be related to you trainging your son. Did that trainging start before or after your trip?
Something that is way out there is has she had any kind of lower back injury or sprain? I know when I injured my back it affected my bowels. There were times when I would be fine and then the next second I was lucky to make it to the bathroom in time. My chiropracter said that is a very common feature of a lower back injury or sprain. Just a thought.
M.
IS it possible that she is jealous of the reward or attention your son is getting for training? Can you try to offer her the same rewards you give him if she stays clean?
I totally don't get the pull-up for traveling thing. I don't see any reason for a healthy 5 year old to be in a diaper. I would stop that totally because it only gives her the idea that you don't have confidence in her ability to use the potty.
I think it is great that you make her responsible for cleaning her mess up. Does she care? Maybe it's time to restrict some privliges until she shows appropriate behavior.
However, before you are punative, I might check with her pediatriacian and therapist. Is this a common phase for soem autistic kids? If she has sensory issues or digestive/GI issues related ot her autism, this may be part of that, and a theraputic approach may be better.
Search for "encopresis" to see if that could be what is going on. Really bad smelling poop can be the result of constipation. A doctor might advise you to try Mirolax to help get back on track. Also, a diet with more fiber might help. You can get Acidophilus Bifidus in powdered form for young children - it is good bacteria and helps the colon work more effectively and helps reduce the foul smell.
Throwing out the underwear is less frustrating than washing it and staying calm and practical is important. It is really hard to deal with these issues but hang in there! Good luck.
What we have had to do with my son, and previously with my daughter (no dev delays, but I think it is probably the same either way) is catch them in the act and put them on the potty, then give them a good reward and make a big deal of it. I find that putting in pull ups for any reason other than nap or bed time is confusing to them and a crutch that allows them to have "accidents." good luck
I'd recommend checking with your daughter's doctor, and with an autism support group, for some advice.
Good luck with this issue.
