Sneaky Poo

Product Information

Withholding usually follows on from a period of constipation. Passing just one painful or uncomfortable poo, even as a baby, can scare a child and trigger a physical reaction. It can happen without parents realising. Children with additional needs such as autism are more likely to be affected by tummy problems and constipation. This is done using softening and stimulating laxatives, which may initially be at frequent, high doses. It will be messy initially as the old stool comes out so it is best to keep the child home from school while this part of the treatment is carried out.

A more direct form of intervention is to use either a laxative or a suppository to take away the child's control over the retention and timing of the motion. This avoids the problem of constipation, and makes it more likely that the child will comply with your direction to pass the motion into the toilet because they have less control over the process. Freedman, J., & Combs G. (1996). Narrative therapy: The social construction of preferred realities. New York: Norton. When they enter therapy overwhelmed by a problem, members of the family may expect that the clinician will discover further underlying conflicts in their minds or relationships. Therapists take an active role in shaping the attributions that are used to describe young persons and families and to explain their problematic situations, and when a therapist listens to, accepts, and then furthers the investigation of a pathological description of a child, the child’s identity may suffer.

What is normal bowel function?

We have noticed some benefits for us personally. Focusing our attention on values, hopes, and preferences, rather than on pathology, we find ourselves less fatigued by the weight of the difficulties we encounter. Since we can now put the problem in the spotlight, we can be more forthright in our questions and comments. As well as allowing us to connect with children “where they live,” this practice stimulates our creativity as well. Spend less than two hours a day (out of school time) in front of television, computers and game consoles. In most cases, the child is not aware that this happening. They arenot being lazy and punishment will not help solve the problem.

The bowel's natural tendency to move after the intake of food is a great ally in the campaign against soiling, because it enables parents to predict when a motion is likely to occur and encourage the child to sit on the toilet at those times.White, M. (1988/9). The externalizing of the problem and the re-authoring of lives and relationships. In M. White (Ed.), Selected Papers . (pp. 5-28). Adelaide, Australia: Dulwich Centre Publications.

When your child’s poo is reliably soft, you can start working on reassurance and confidence building. Lobovits, D. & Freeman, J. (1997) Destination Grump Station, Getting Off the Grump Bus. In D. Nylund and C. Smith (Eds.) Narrative Therapy with Children and Adolescents. New York: Guilford Press. We have strong muscles in our large bowel that squeeze poo along (this movement is called peristalsis). As it travels through the bowel, water is removed turning poo into a smooth sausage shape.

The term narrative implies listening to and telling or retelling stories about people and the problems in their lives. In the face of serious and sometimes potentially deadly problems, the idea of hearing or telling stories may seem a trivial pursuit. It is hard to believe that conversations can shape new realities. But they do. The bridges of meaning we build with children help healing developments flourish instead of wither and be forgotten. Language can shape events into narratives of hope. Encourage your child to have some exercise daily. This also helps stimulate movement of faeces through the bowel. Be alert for signs that the child is becoming constipated again – increasing flatulence (passing wind), bad breath, soiling underpants, urinary tract infection and sore tummies.