My 4 yr old autistic son puts his fingers in his pullup and spreads his p**p around like finger paint?

Question

I have told him no I have contacted the doctor and his special ed teachers... no one is offering any help! It is horrible and my other kids are affected by it and the smell is just aweful! I am constantly washing every thing in the house from dressers to curtains!

Answer 1

Yea...I hear you!!! you are going to have to change him as soon as he goes, or put him in some kind of clothing that he can't get to his p**p! been there ! my son loves smells too... If he can't get to it you won't have the problem . The pull ups are to loose. Onesies snap at the bottom but he is 4, so I don't know how to fix that, pants w/ belts! can't get to the p**p! there you go, try that my son has autism too... sometimes we just have to get creative, others just don't get it... Hope I helped a little...

Answer 2

maybe you should reward him for the good things that he dose and take things away when he dose something like that, then he might start to learn that it's bad and if he dose it he'll lose one of his toys or something??

but you really need to ask a specialist, like a child behaviourist or child sycologist (dont know how to spell that)

Answer 3

I fill for you!!! I think you should set him down and tlke to him.And if he still dose it i donot know. Have You ever herd o POTTY TRANING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 4

That's quite common with Autism.  he needs some sensory therapy.  Several times a day sit down and play play doh or sllime or moon sand or something squishy with a strong smell with him.  he needs this feeling of squishyness to regulate his senses.  Also just try to stay right on top of the poopy diapers, even though it's hard, try to get em changed before he gets the chance to dig in.  Then reward him for not doing it by letting him squish around in something more appropriate.  They have this new stuff called insta snow.  It's a huge hit with my daughter.

Answer 5

I understand you anguish.  Autism brings with it many sensory issues, of which this is one.

Children within the autistic spectrum generally experience 'sensory distortions.'  We all have a sort of sensory 'filter' in our brain, which enables us to function in the real world.  This filter cuts out sounds, sights, smells, tastes and feelings, which we don't need to pay attention to and focuses our sensory attention on those things which we do need to pay attention to.  When a child is suffering from autism this sensory filter frequently malfunctions.

This means that it can magnify sensort stimuli, it can diminish the effects of sensory stimuli, or in your child's case, what I imagine is happening is that his sensory attention is being 'narrowly focused' upon the sensory experience of his own poo!  This is something which is not unique; - it happens!  The question is, what to do!!!

Your child needs a programme of sensory normalisation, which could eradicate this obsessional behaviour.

Visit the website of Snowdrop. - http://www.snowdrop.cc   There is a book available there called 'Autism: A guide to understanding and helping your child.', which explains all this.  It really is the only way to help him.

Answer 6

Here are a couple of ideas:  Kids with autism often experience sensory stimulation (the way things feel, taste, smell, look, sound) differently than "neurotypical" people.  It is possible that he actually likes the way it feels, looks, and smells to "fingerpaint" with his p**p.  Obviously that's not acceptable behavior, but think about what other activities may give him a similar sensory input.  Let him fingerpaint on paper (under your supervision) using different things like instant pudding (the chocolate even looks sort of poopy, and it does have a smell, although much more pleasant than p**p).  Lots of kids also like to "fingerpaint" with shaving cream, which also has an odor.  The idea is to satisfy the need to spread something aromatic around.  Be sure to talk to him while he is doing these alternative "spreading" activities and say things like, "Ooh, it feels good to spread the pudding on the paper, doesn't it?"  and "Wow, smell that shaving cream!"  There are also scented "play doughes" that can satisfy the idea to squish around something "smelly."

The other suggestion is to have your son clean up any messes he makes.  Of course he won't be able to do an adequate job, and you will still have to clean up after him.  But the idea is that when someone makes a mess, he cleans it up, and having to take responsibility for a mess is not fun.  Give him damp soapy rags or sponges and tell him, "You made a big mess.  You need to clean it up."  Stay as calm and matter-of-fact as you can, and just keep directing him to keep cleaning.  "You missed a spot.  Keep rubbing.  It's not clean yet."  After a few times of being held responsible for cleaning up the mess, he will begin to understand that it's not so much fun after all.

Also, as hard as it is to stay calm when someone is smearing p**p, it is really helpful if everyone (including the other children) reacts matter-of-factly.  Instead of saying, "Ooh, gross!  That's disgusting!  Mom, he did it again!" etc., your son will change his behavior more quickly if you all just say, "p**p goes in the toilet, not on the floor or the wall.  You made a mess, and you need to clean it up."  Sometimes kids enjoy the fuss that comes when they have grossed out other people, so it's important to just calmly tell him, "You made a mess.  You clean it up."  And don't let him go do anything else until he cleans up to the best of his ability.  

You have my sympathy;  this is a truly unpleasant and upsetting behavior.  Sadly, there is not an instant cure, but I have had success with quite a few children over the years, using the same plan I described above.  He will probably test you several times to see if you are still going to make him clean up the mess, but if you just stay with it, he will learn.

Answer 7

I Agree with Sonomano...

And ignore the idiots who have answered 'ewww' and similar, as they haven't a clue what they're talking about.

Was gonna write a few things but sonomano has about covered it.

Only thing i'd say is if he really isn't going to be ready for training, some companies sell vests with poppers between the legs (like a babie's vest), this can hold the nappy in place and make it difficult to get into without it being taken off.

This is prevention rather than cure though, and it may be worth seeking help to 'cure' the problem. good luck xx

Answer 8

i hope you are getting some behavior services like TSS to help you.

What is his current functioning?  Is he able to talk at all? does he understand when you talk to him? This info will have the biggest impact on what you can actually do.

Is he doing this in the school environment?  If he is, try to ask directly how they are handling it.  

But I really need to know his cognitive functioning before I can offer some suggestions.

Answer 9

This isnt unusual. I work with autistic children and I have this nightmare to. Its to do with the sensory feeling-they can feel it against their skin and most autistic children are very hypersensitive to any sensory stimulus. I try to make sure I know the poo routine and when they are likely to need changing so i can do it quickly. I also try to give them other sensory stimulation such as focus on sound to keep them occupied. Having activities like finger painting, playing with soap foam (you can get from tesco) which will give them the feeling but not a smelly and gross version :)

A quite awkward thing you could try which we had to do with one child is to put shorts (like swimming ones) over the pullup and under the trousers (popper vest just dont work). This makes it harder for them to get inside the pullup.

I cant give you a miracle cure unfortunately just diversion!

Answer 10

Spank his butt. Ewwwwwwwwwww.

Answer 11

Toilet training a child with Autism is not easy, and it takes time, patience and perseverance. And smacking the child will have little affect except to make the child fear of going to the elimination.

Note the times he is going to the toilet, over two weeks or so, even facial expressions, can give a clue as to when he is about to do or doing a pooh.  Is there a pattern or time where is most likely to go. If so try and make his toileting times, close too the time as possible, this could be either changing him, or putting him on the toilet.

That is if your son is able to sit on the toilet?

If not try giving him a reward for sitting on the toilet, even if for a minute, then build on it.

After a meal put him on the toilet or potty, check his pants every half hour, every time he does a wee or pooh either in the potty or toilet, make a huge fuss and give him a reward.

If he soils himself, don't make a fuss just clean him up, and sit him on the toilet (but don't make the toilet a punishment, for soiling himself) Toileting should be a positive experience, not a fearful one.

Also ensure his pants/jeans are firm around the waist to prevent him from putting his hands down his pants, if you catch him with his hands down there, say NO!, and nothing else, then take him to the toilet.

I hope this helps and good luck

Answer 12

hi!!

as you know as a mother of an autistic child it takes constant reinforcement with challenging behaviour, and I'm sure your feeling the strain especially with other children in your house too.all children react to positive praise, so when your changing him or when he is not misbehaving try to encourage this behaviour more.I understand it takes time and your hands are clearly full, but you will reap the benefits.

stay strong ..you've made it this far!!!

Answer 13

tell him to watch

4girls fingerpaint

on the 2girls1cup website

Answer 14

I know one family who took a belt and put it on backwards so that the child could not get into his diaper.

Answer 15

Umm... dont at all feel bad, some children go thru this stage, and I do mean stage, not all children but I have heard of this before... I know its hard to catch but as soon as he starts to go or right after change him or put him on the toilet, alls you can really do is just keep tryin to let him know this is not good and not sanitary... umm... I wouldnt spank for spanking is not going to help... time outs maybe? or time alone on the toilet, or when he does it taket he pull up in the bathroom put whats left in the pull up int he toilet and tell himt hats where it goes... eventually he will catch on, it will take time, but keep your chin up :)