Dealing with a child who eats poop, medically known as coprophagia, can be distressing and confusing-especially when your child is autistic. This behavior, while rare in the general population, occurs more frequently in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Understanding why it happens and how to address it with compassion and practical strategies can help you support your son’s health and wellbeing.
Why Do Some Autistic Children Eat Poop?
Before tackling the behavior, it’s important to understand the possible causes behind it. Coprophagia in autistic children can stem from a mix of medical, sensory, and behavioral factors.
Medical Causes
– Constipation or gastrointestinal discomfort: If your child is constipated or experiencing abdominal pain, they may engage in feces-related behaviors to seek relief or due to discomfort.
– Delayed or difficult toilet training: Many autistic children face challenges with toilet training, which can contribute to fecal smearing or ingestion.
Sensory Challenges
– Sensory seeking: Some children with autism crave certain textures or smells. The feel or smell of feces might provide sensory input they find comforting or stimulating.
– Poor interoception: Difficulty sensing internal body signals can mean your child doesn’t realize when they need to use the toilet, leading to accidents and subsequent behaviors like playing with or eating feces.
– Sensory aversions: Sensitivity to toilet sounds, wiping sensations, or bathroom environments can cause avoidance of toileting, increasing the chance of fecal smearing or ingestion.
Behavioral Factors
– Communication: Eating poop may be a way to express anxiety, discomfort, or a need for attention when other communication methods are limited.
– Attention-seeking: Sometimes, reactions from caregivers (even negative ones) can inadvertently reinforce the behavior.
How to Help Your Son Stop Eating Poop
Stopping this behavior requires patience, understanding, and a multi-faceted approach tailored to your child’s needs.
1. Consult Medical Professionals
Start by discussing the behavior with your child’s pediatrician or a specialist. They can:
– Rule out or treat medical issues like constipation or infections.
– Recommend dietary changes or medications to improve bowel movements.
– Suggest referrals to occupational therapists or behavioral specialists.
2. Improve Toilet Training Strategies
Toilet training autistic children often takes longer and requires extra support:
– Use visual schedules and social stories to explain toilet routines clearly.
– Break down the process into small, manageable steps (e.g., pulling pants down, sitting on the toilet, wiping).
– Use consistent, simple language for toileting (e.g., always say “toilet”).
– Encourage and reward successful toilet use with positive reinforcement.
– Consider skipping the potty chair stage if your child struggles with change and start directly with a toilet seat adapter.
3. Manage Sensory Needs
– Provide sensory-friendly environments in the bathroom and bedroom.
– Offer alternative sensory activities like finger painting, Play-Doh, or squishy toys to fulfill sensory cravings safely.
– Use adaptive clothing or pajamas that make it harder for your child to access feces.
4. Create a Safe and Supervised Environment
– Supervise bathroom routines closely to intervene before ingestion occurs.
– Use childproof locks on bathroom doors and secure diaper disposal containers.
– Immediately dispose of diapers in locked bins to prevent access.
5. Develop Behavior Plans with Professionals
Behavioral therapists or psychologists can help you:
– Identify triggers for the behavior.
– Develop structured daily routines that reduce opportunities for fecal ingestion.
– Use minimal reaction strategies to avoid reinforcing the behavior.
– Teach alternative communication methods to express needs or discomfort.
6. Address Emotional and Communication Needs
– Encourage your child to use signs, gestures, or communication devices to express when they need the toilet or feel upset.
– Use social stories and role-playing to teach appropriate bathroom behaviors.
– Avoid punishment or harsh reprimands, which can increase anxiety and worsen behaviors.
Additional Tips for Parents
– Keep a detailed diary of when and where the behavior happens to identify patterns.
– Replace harsh toilet paper with wet wipes or gentle cleaning methods if wiping is uncomfortable.
– Provide lots of encouragement and celebrate small successes in toilet training.
– Be patient-progress may be slow, but consistency and positivity make a difference.
Helping your autistic son stop eating poop is a challenging journey, but with the right support, understanding, and strategies, you can improve his health and quality of life. Remember, every child is unique, so tailor approaches to what works best for your family.
Stopping this behavior protects your child’s health and helps him develop better hygiene habits over time. Stay patient, seek professional guidance, and celebrate each step forward.