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Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

Original poster

how to cope with smearing

13 replies

whichcamera · 29/03/2011 13:57

How do I cope with smearing?

My son is aged 6, currently under CAMHS but I think extremely unlikely to get any diagnosis as very high functioning (ie reading Roald Dahl age 5) and has learnt many behaviours. School report no issues other than daily wetting accidents. I feel it is a totally taboo subject that I cannot mention to any friends or family.

No professionals will offer any advice. He has always had toddler diahorrea so there can be 6-10 poos a day. The smearing is not all the time but every couple of days I find it somewhere in the house. He has two younger siblings so it is difficult to monitor all toileting.

Any suggestions welcome.

OP posts:
Peaceflower · 29/03/2011 14:46

My ds (now 8 and working dx of AS) used to smear on the toilet walls when he was 7. I found out this was because he couldn't wipe efficiently (sorry if TMI) with toilet paper. We tried Kandoo wipes and he hardly ever smears now. Of course my long lectures about not doing it also helped Grin

shazian · 29/03/2011 17:15

My 10yo does this any time he gets half a chance, i have to say it is very hard to deal with, definitely the most challenging behaviour. When he's at home and not going out (in his room where i'm not watching over him) he wears a special sleepsuit, which he cant get into his nappy from. i buy sleepsuit from online KC Sleepsuit and they are the best invention ever, lol. I would highly recommend buying even one suit to see how it goes. :)

purplepidjin · 29/03/2011 17:20

Like Shazian says, a sleepsuit.

You can get (PM me, I can make you some if you want me to) vest suits for Sn kids to hel prevent smearing and stripping. They button/zip/popper up the back so the person can't get into their pad, or if they strip they're still covered

shazian · 29/03/2011 17:41

Sorry Purple, never realised you could make them, only place ive seen them before is from place i buy from. I will pm you next time i get round to buying them (just bought couple in Jan) if thats ok. How much are they? I paid £34 plus p&p for each suit.

purplepidjin · 29/03/2011 17:59

www.facebook.com/mimapants

£34? You've got to be kidding! Shock

I'll do them for £15 and that's only because it'll mean buying more poppers off ebay! Will look up postage prices nearer the time Smile

purplepidjin · 29/03/2011 18:03

I've just looked at the ones you mentioned and they're not what I was thinking of.

The one's I've had experience of are like shorts and t-shirt all in one, in a light cotton or silk, which do up at the back to be inaccessible and go under regular clothes as well as being useful as pyjamas.

But still, £34 Shock

growlybear · 29/03/2011 18:08

fledglings do them like that i think.if they don;t do them on their website i would ring them as they are very helpful.

purplepidjin · 29/03/2011 18:53

Ooh, Fledglings have some good stuff! I don't think I can compete with them, the prices and range are good. The only way I can do better is on make-to-measure and choice of fabrics. If I can buy it (preferably locally, but I do use ebay too) then I'll turn it into something Grin

My next project will be an "invisibility" wheelchair cloak aka a khaki camo print waterproof leg cover lol

growlybear · 29/03/2011 19:05

I have found fledglings good they will even put in holes for gastrostomy tubes etc and certainly stopped my dd from yanking her tube out or putting her hands in nappy.Mind you am sure she lays there thinking about what else she could do.:o

Original poster
whichcamera · 29/03/2011 19:55

Thank you all for taking the time to reply.

I had read previously about the vest suits which I would certainly consider if he were still in nappies but the issue we have is that he is not in nappies and takes himself to the toilet and additional clothes would prevent this as he will never ask to go.

Thanks peaceflower for this advice but I think my sons get sensory pleasure from the smearing as he smears in bed and around the house not just in the bathrooms. His favourite outdoor activity is playing in wet mud.

I just dont know how to cope with it as it is not a subject I feel I can share with anyone and my son is not perceived to have any special needs. Should I post outside of special needs or will everyone be horrified and suggest it is my fault? I would struggle with any judgement at the moment as am not managing to find much needed support from any professionals.

OP posts:
purplepidjin · 29/03/2011 20:05

Ah, now that's a sensory issue not a clothing issue Grin sorry, I misunderstood!

Playdough, make bread and scones (anything that needs kneading), fart putty or theraputty... lots of activities that give the same feedback but are more socially acceptable (and less smelly)

You could also experiment with other sensory activities like weighted blanket, swings, deep pressure massage, body brushing, joint compression etc to help him process the world around

HTH

purplepidjin · 29/03/2011 20:08

Oh, and don't give up on dx. One of my old keyboys is currently taking A Levels at a local college with a view to studying Maths or Physics at University. I worked with him at a specialist school funded by the government and costing 112k a year when I left in 2008 Grin

shaz298 · 29/03/2011 20:09

Could you make sure he always has a tub of mud available in the house? A bit gross I know but not as gross as the poo, and just keep reminding him it's there. if it's the sensation maybe that will help. What about helping him to make mud pictures , smearing the mud on paper may be enought o meet this sensory need? xx

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