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I need help. Poo help.
- Jul 8, 2009 at 12:55 AM
- By
- Comments (62) Total Views (1726) Everyone can see this journal post.
WARNING: This post is probably pretty gross if you don't happen to deal with this on a daily basis. Don't say I didn't warn you.
My son Brody, who has autism (throwing that in there as somewhat of an explanation for this behavior), LOVES to play in his poop. I know, I know that every parent of a toddler has dealt with a poop-playing incident occasionally, but this has been going on forever and it's happening on a daily basis.
We switched to cloth diapers over six months ago because Brody was ripping off pieces of his disposable diapers and eating them, which really freaked me out due to all of the chemicals in them and all. Cloth has been great and we love it, he loves it. It holds in the messes better which is a bonus. But soon he realized that he thought it was fun to stick his hands down there. So we started keeping him in one-sies on an almost daily basis. You'd think that would stop this behavior, no? No. Somehow he has figured out how to stick his hand UP his shorts and sneak it into the side of his one-sie and diaper. *sigh* I can literally leave the room for 2 seconds to switch out laundry or go to the bathroom and the kid will be painting the walls with poop. (Or eating it. Seriously.) I don't know how much more of this I can take and I'm afraid of what will happen with this behavior when he starts school next month. Has anyone ever dealt with this or does anyone have any suggestions?
If you do, PLEASE SHARE. I have sweet dreams at night of moving to a magical land where no one has buttholes.
Comments:
Onesies backwards keep diapers on and hands from going DOWN the diapers. Going up them? Try one piece sleepers or jumper outfits.
I don't know much about autism, so please bear with me. =) I was thinking it might be a sensory issue, and that maybe having playdoh or washable fingerpaints for him to play with instead, might take his focus off of the poo.
Oh nevermind, looks like Brie made the suggestion first. LOL
Hi,
I've worked with kids with Autism before. You are going to need to find a replacement behavior for playing with the poop that serves the same purpose for him. You really need a behaviorist to help you with this. If I knew where you live, I might be able to help. I'm in southern California. You can call me or email me and I might be able to help more that way.
I know it's a sensory issue, but it's not the texture that he's craving. In fact once he gets it on his hands he gets upset about it. He likes having his hands IN something (like his diaper). I can't think of something that might mimic that sensation.
We work daily with an ABA therapist, floortime instructor, speech therapist and occupational therapist and they haven't come up with anything either. :(
Some sort of glove, like the stretchy ones that are one size fit's all? I'm thinking warm and soft is what he's seeking, maybe. Or if the texture of a glove is too scratchy maybe..and its gonna sound odd, a ladies glove, you know the fancy ones like you see in formal ware. I'm thinking that is softer, I'm sure they come in children's sizes, like for weddings.
Gosh that's a real stumper.
Wish I could help more.
Hey, what about hand puppets? It's worth a try. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
some kind of pockets sewn onto this clothing, maybe? I know some people find comfort in sitting on their hands, or placing their hands in their waist band.. maybe Brody would like pockets? Man I wish there was an easy answer for you, I really do...
LuminousMom had the same idea I did. If he wants to stick his hands in something, I would say clothing with pockets and maybe some goop in there that's easier to clean than poop? Maybe you can stitch some pockets onto his onesies since he's already used to that. Or onesies with long pants, jumper-style, like someone else said. Overalls, maybe?
I really wish I had a magic pill that would take you to the Poop-Free Place. To put it mildly, this problem stinks.
I'm sorry I can't do more for you. :-(
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I'm guessing it's a sensory issue. He obviously likes the texture so I would suggest either letting him play with play dough or that goo, I can't think of the name of it, but it's cold and thicker than jello. Kids can moosh it and do all kinds of fun, neato stuff with it.
I've told you about my grandson with Down Syndrome...he likes to spin, so I gave him a sit 'n spin zebra. Thing is, he would spin until it literally made him sick. We had to take him to the ER one day because he had spun so much he threw his equilibrium off and it took a long time to correct itself. He gave us quite a scare. Anyway, one of his therapists said it was a sensory issue. So we can allow him to spin, we just have to limit his time.
Hope this helps. I don't know what else you could do. Have you talked to any of his therapists or doctors? What do they suggest? Good luck!