SPD and soiling

[whatnow40]

I hope someone can help. My DS 7 shows many signs of sensory perception disorder and is being assessed under an ASD diagnostic pathway. He's high functioning and above average at school.

Over the last 2 years we have had increasing frequency of soiling accidents. He potty trained just fine and never had accidents up until about age 5.5. It never happens at school. But everywhere else, he will fart and not realise he's followed through. Is the an SPD thing?

To further complicate it, he is also hypermobile. So am I, I have Elhers Danilo's Syndrome. DS is undiagnosed yet, we're still jumping through hoops on that front too. I don't have any problems with my bowels, but I know EDS effects everyone differently.

I don't know whether to address this as a behavioural issue with him. He genuinely cannot tell when he's poo'd himself, but I just don't know what to do to help him improve. I think it doesn't happen at school because he holds in his farts, but at home/elsewhere he's happy to let rip!

Thank you

Start with the school nurse (via school office) and perhaps then take a referral to a continence clinic.

I don't know if it's an SPD thing or not but either way they can help, and there is no point putting it off. My first thought since he used to be fine is whether he might be long term constipated. Constipation is frequently associated with autistic spectrum disorders and can manifest in soiling and frequent loose poos. Eric has good advice. It is really important to treat any constipation and they treatment is very safe, so it's often the first thing tried.