7 year old soiling. Help!

[containsnuts]

I'm at my wits end and desperate for advice from anyone who's experienced similar.

DD7 (undergoing ASD assessment) is soiling herself on a daily basis - sometimes several times per day for several months now. Nickers, trousers, pajamas, bedding always covered in poo.

She was late to potty training (4) but has gone long periods completely clean and dry so I'm confident it's behavioural rather than a functional problem. I'm not sure what the trigger for this change is. We've tried regular toilet trips, rewards, sanctions, ignoring, explaining, but nothing works. She just soils herself anyway. She doesn't seem to care! Peadiatrician advised laxetives but this has made no difference since she just holds it in until it 'escapes' and my nose tells me about it.

I'm drowning in smelly laundry and the whole house stinks. She's itchy and smelly which undignified for her and must look to others like I don't take very good care of her. Seriously considering some incontinence wear but not sure if this is appropriate when it's behavioural.

Any advice much appreciated.

That sounds so awful, for both you and her!

If she’s holding it in, she’s probably constipated, and the liquid will be leaking around the compacted solid. Ask the paediatrician to prescribe another laxative, or get a referral to paediatric gastro doc.

Also, get her involved in cleaning herself up, and dealing with the laundry. Get Napisan and a bucket, and lots of cheap sets of knickers for when cleaning up is too much!

Make sure she’s drinking enough water, and eating enough fruit and veg too, and try to encourage her to sit on loo regularly after each meal for 10 mins.