6 year old and accidents

[Anonymous]

I have a DS with MERLD and ADHD who has seen a major uptick in poopy and pee-pee accidents since summer has started. We have discussed with his OT but havent gotten a good solution. Im thinking of buying a watch with a timer for him to remind him to use the bathroom, but this is classic im doing something else and dont feel like stopping. Throwing this out there to see if anyone else has a good solution to this.

[Anonymous]

Hi OP - not sure if I have any advice for you, but we're going through something similar. Ever since school let out, our 7yo DS with ADHD has been wetting the bed at night. Not every night, but maybe every 2-3 days or so. I think it's because he's spending a lot of time outside in the hot sun at summer camp, and he's drinking a lot more. We're back to reminding him to go to the bathroom frequently in the evenings (before dinner, about 5 min after dinner, when he puts his PJs on, and then right before he gets in bed). Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but I've noticed over the past couple of days he is waking up at 5am to use the bathroom. Anyway, I wonder if your DS Is drinking more with the hot weather and if that is contributing to the accidents? Or if it's just a change in routine?

[Anonymous]

We struggle with this time to time as well with our some same age. It could be constipation as well. It's frustrating, but reup the reminders and the positive reinforcement when he does go.

[Anonymous]

PP. yes, i think the increased drinking has something to do w it, but I think he's just not bothering to go to the bathroom, which is a symptom of his pretty severe ADHD. Id like to try to find a solution to correct that, or rather to help him correct it

[Anonymous]

Our ADHD daughter had accidents well into third grade. Happily she doesn't anymore, mostly because she finally clued into social pressure and that was strong enough to overcome the distractions that prevented her for going on time.

[Anonymous]

PP yes, the professionals involved w our DC are kind of blase, it goes with the territory about our 6 year old's accidents. Im sure it is something he will outgrow once he clues into the social pressure

[Anonymous]

hi - Not sure if this helps - but it seems that pediatricians have fairly recently figured out that pee potty accidents in older children are linked to "stealth" constipation issues. Long story short - a child can poop regularly but still have sufficient chronic constipation that leads to chronic low level inflamation in the tummy area. As a result, the child does not get that funny feeling all the time or perhaps only gets it during extreme duress. That may mean pee accidents or poop accidents or both. here is a link to the article - http://www.slate.com/articles/life/family/2012/03/bed_wetting_the_simple_cause_your_doctor_probably_missed_.html

For our child, that seemed to be secret issue on pee accidents (very small but bothersome). So, we use miralax every day and sit on the potty every morning until the child poops. We of course also push veggies and water but that only goes so far for the child's particular issues. The child always claims no need to poop after breakfast, but after a minute or two of sitting - poop always comes. And miracle of miracles no more pee accidents. So i really think it was not a cognitive issue at all - it simply was that he was not getting the signal of a full bladder or full colon because the chronic low level inflamation interfered with it being sent and/or recieved.

This might not be a 100% cure for you, but if it only improves the situation, that is a start. So, if you are still having accidents try and discuss the issue with your pediatrician. We also have a very very strict rule of always going pee before we leave the house or as soon as we arrive at a new destination before distraction can get in the way. It is also a family rule - everyone goes potty before we get in the car "so mommy and daddy do not have an accident." the ped also said that helps with training child's body to expect to use the potty at ceratin times of day and certain places.

[Anonymous]

PP. i think this is what is going on with our child. How much miralax do you give your DC in the morning, and does it lead to pottying shortly after? Im always afraid to give it in the morning since I worry it will lead to accidents later in the day.

[Anonymous]

Miralax for us takes a day to work. It is a stool softener and not a laxative per se. Amount used various depending on quantity and quality of veggies being consumed the prior day. So, start with maybe a quarter of a cap and see if that is sufficient. If not, add more. Also, it is a combination thing - you are reducing the constipation but also training the child's colon - ore retraining and trying to establish tone so the signals get sent to the brain. It can take months apparently to work in the article. Also, start it on a weekend when you can also impliment "we are gonna sit on the potty for X many minutes every morning after breakfast."

[Anonymous]

[I think he's just not bothering to go to the bathroom]

This is exactly the situation with my son (7) - he's too busy playing or engrossed in an enticing activity that he just chooses to ignore the signs.

One thing that helped us a lot was scheduling some potty-time into the morning routine - right after breakfast, before getting dressed. We've seen a nice decrease in poopy accidents since we started this. Even if he doesn't actually "go" every day, he has to sit on the toilet and "listen to his body".

[Anonymous]

Talk to the camp ask them to remind them. This happens with even non adhd kids.