With your son, watch "The Poo in You" video
https://youtu.be/SgBj7Mc_4sc?si=qtyKMRKivsGpry7P

Agree that that this sounds like constipation, and that every few days is not enough. Also starting. k my kid got super constipated that first week.

Prime juice and probiotics.

Anonymous wrote:OT is for fine motor skills.

+1 OT won’t do shyt. Pun intended.

Anonymous wrote:I taught K for 22 years (moved to admin but still in education) and its VERY rare that a Ker who struggles with this isnt also on the very immature side and could use a year if the birthday allows it. You dont want to hear it but I would bet my pension that this isnt the only arena where he isnt behind in peers. And I am not talking about academics. His body is literally NOT ready.

This is so full of it. As a K teacher, you need to support the kids and help them with these things. They aren't immature, they are in a new environment and may not have a kind teacher who is supportive and makes sure the kids needs are met.

Do not hold your kid back. Teachers suggest this because it's easier for them, not what's best for the child. The child needs reminders to go.

Normal, very normal. They don't need to be held back or OT.

Teachers should be making sure all kids go every few hours, given its new, and many kids are not comfortable asking for bathrooms or any help.

My kid did it for a long while. They outgrew it.

Send two sets of clothing, large ziplock bags and wipes.

This is a VERY common issue for elementary kids when they return to school each fall. When their eating and sleeping schedules change, so does the pooping schedule. Kids wind up holding it in while they're at school, and then they can't go once they get home. This leads to them staining their pants. Make sure he has plenty of fiber - fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans - whatever he'll eat. Encourage him to go in the evening when he's home, even consider rewarding him for it. Hopefully, this problem resolves once he's used to the new schedule. It may take a couple weeks.

I taught K for 22 years (moved to admin but still in education) and its VERY rare that a Ker who struggles with this isnt also on the very immature side and could use a year if the birthday allows it. You dont want to hear it but I would bet my pension that this isnt the only arena where he isnt behind in peers. And I am not talking about academics. His body is literally NOT ready.

Anonymous wrote:OT is for fine motor skills.

This is wrong.

OT is for fine motor skills.

He’s constipated. Give him a half a cap of MiraLax every day and bribe him for poops after breakfast. You can bribe him for trying to, as long as it’s a good faith effort.

But anyway yeah, he’s constipated. Every few days is not enough.

I waited six months for an appointment at the constipation clinic at Hopkins and the summary is laxatives and bribes.

He’s constipated.

He’s constipated. And his poor colon is probably pretty stretched out.

Laxatives and bribes.

I’m so sorry OP - it’s really hard and I’m glad you are empathetic and not shaming him.

Might he still have encopresis? I’m asking because going every few days might not be frequent enough. Has he had an x-ray to see if he still has compacted stool? We had to stay on the Miralax regimen for our DS much longer than I originally anticipated in order for his colon to return to normal size so he could feel the urge sensation.

Is he sitting on the potty every morning 10-15 min after breakfast, but before school, so he can try to have a bowel movement?

We’ve also had success with parent coaching on this issue through Alliance Pediatrics — they are known for their focus on toileting.

https://alliancepediatrics.com/

Anonymous wrote:Have you considered trying to retain? He is on the young side for K.

No for a variety of reasons. No judgement for those who do but it wouldn't work for him.

Have you considered trying to retain? He is on the young side for K.

Sorry I meant interoception. He also has poop proprioception.

DS is five (may birthday) and likely adhd. He has poor proprioception and potty training took years. He's got a lot of anxiety. K has been generally good, he went to preschool there so he's comfortable but it's been an adjustment to a long day.

Like is said potty training took forever, he withheld poop and would have accidents. We did the miralax thing for a while but now he's just on magnesium and mostly solved it with a star chart. He poops every few days.

Today he came home and smelled so I checked and he had poop in his underwear. He said he hadn't used the bathroom once today and didn't know when it happened.

I'm just at a loss about what to do. My heart breaks for him, I don't want him to be the kid who poops his pants in elementary school. He is very sweet and sensitive. I need to fix this for him.

Has anyone had a kid like this? He goes to OT but they haven't worked on this, is this something that Ot should be addressing? Or another specialist? Or should I just call this a one off and see if it happens again?

Please be kind this is really hard.