4 year old Autistic son acts like a dog and even wees and poos on the carpet.

[Radders1984]

Need some advice, im a father to a 4 year old Autistic child and for the past few months he acts like a dog, even attempts to drink out of the dogs water bowl which will make him sick. Recently he has started weeing and pooing on the floor even though he knows he has to use the toilet and, even though he recognises what he has done and that its naughty, he still does it. Anyone else been in a situation like this? Is it a phase that will pass naturally or did you have to actually help them get out of it?

Do you know if he’s acting like this because he wants to be a dog or could it be for other sensory reasons. Firstly I’d make sure the dog’s bowl isn’t accessible to him as that’s a hygiene issue.

I think all the rest depends on how much understanding he has.

My son is awaiting assessment but probably autistic. He has a high level of understanding and language so I could explain and reason with him and try get to the bottom of it. But if not I’d probably assume he gets some sensory satisfaction from it and try meet those needs in other ways.

The pooing and weeing on the floor could be a sensory thing. Again, it depends on the reasoning behind the behaviour …