FECES SMEARING PLEASE HELP!

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my son does that too??? 9 year old. Aspie. Also pooped in a drawer in his room. ??? Do I confront him? What do I say? This just started.

My heart goes out to anyone dealing with this issue. Both of my sons have done it, but my youngest is a habitual offender. I can deal almost anything, but my patience run out quick when it comes to cleaning poop off of everything.

My son seems to do it worse when he's stresses, and bored. Also, I think sensory issues are a big part of it, as others have mentioned. The OT at the boy's school should be able to help with suggestions. We found out that my son is greatly calmed by swinging, so we have a platform swing in the house for him. He also benefits from a weighted vest, so we're having one made for him.

The only other thing that we did that helped is that we had special outfits made for him that are one piece that zip up the back. He can't get out of it himself. Putting overalls on backwards also works. If anyone would like to know more about the outfits, and where to get them, you can pm me.

>> My son seems to do it worse when he's stresses

This is the one I've seen at the root, although it wasn't anywhere to the degree as Devin is seeing, occur during a extended period when he was stressed out. Recently it also happened when he started a new school. But the later wasn't so much smearing in that case though, it was holding off/forgetting to go to the toilet (only when he was naked), and then knowing that it was wrong he'd start cleaning it up by carrying it to the toilet. We did institute a "no DS-Lite for the day when you don't got to the toilet" rule, and though he understood that it still happened so we knew it wasn't entirely voluntary (because the DS-Lite is THE motivator). So what we did was make an extra effort to make sure he kept his clothes on and worked at resolving the stress at school. Once the stress went away no more poop on the floor [hands/door knobs/sink/toilet/child/etc.].

As someone mentioned finding out why is key step. Often you have think like an Autie to figure that out. Getting attention was mentioned as was just enjoying the sensory of it. Another example I have heard of was that the child liked getting showers and smearing feces was immediately followed by the cleanup (EDIT: to solve the problem they taught the child to ask for the shower more directly, it might have been a PECS for it? I forget that detail). That's obviously really individual based but it is a great example of how you have to take another look at the cause-effects that are going on, really open your mind beyond the NT. Then somehow satisfy the desire without the poop hitting the fan. Finger paint might be where to start checking, or some other item with a similar tactile sensory (if he's tactile centric).

And hope like hell it isn't just because he's taken a liking to the smell of poop or has made that link yet.

Good luck.

The only one in our family who ever had that problem was... my neurotypical sister. She grew out of it.

Seriously, lots of kids do this, and with developmental delay they will do it later. Not picking up the "poo is bad" general social belief could mean it's just plain and simple play...

Here's my thoughts, though--if you change his diaper the second he uses it, he will have it available less often... If he deliberately holds it back until you are gone, so that he can play with it, then he probably has enough control to be taught to use a toilet, and the rest is communication and teaching... either way there should be a solution.

Meantime: easily cleaned furniture, "kid-proof" wallpaper or paint, and linoleum floors!

My son did this until he was about 5. 10 seems really old. He may need to see a specialist of some sort. OT maybe, idk.