Being bound up is unfortunately a common scenario for autistic children, this article provides some autism constipation remedies to try.

Autism and constipation

Constipation is a common issue that affects individuals of all ages, including children with autism.

Autistic children may be particularly vulnerable to constipation due to factors such as sensory sensitivities, dietary restrictions, limited food preferences, and difficulties with communication.

Addressing constipation in autistic children requires a case by case approach that takes into account their unique needs and challenges.

Below we explore strategies that can help alleviate constipation and promote gut health in autistic children.

Change their diet (slowly)

Adjusting the child’s diet can play a vital role in managing constipation.

Increasing fiber intake through fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes can help regulate bowel movements.

It is important to introduce dietary changes gradually to prevent resistance or sensory issues.

Consultation with a registered dietitian can provide valuable guidance tailored to the child’s specific needs.

Increase their water consumption

Ensuring the child is adequately hydrated is essential for maintaining regular bowel movements.

Encourage drinking water throughout the day and limit the consumption of sugary and/or fizzy drinks, which can exacerbate constipation.

Get them moving

Regular physical activity can stimulate bowel movements and improve overall gut health.

Engaging the child in activities they enjoy, such as swimming, dancing, or playing outside, can help promote regularity.

Lean on routine

Creating a predictable and structured daily routine can be beneficial for autistic children, including their bowel habits.

Encourage them to use the toilet at consistent times after meals, as this can help establish regular bowel movements.

Consider sensory needs

Autistic children often have sensory sensitivities that may affect their willingness to use the toilet.

Make the bathroom environment comfortable by adjusting lighting, and providing any sensory accommodations may help.

You could try things such a as, soft seating, noise-canceling headphones or dim lightbulbs.

Use visual support

Utilise visual schedules or social stories to support the child’s understanding of the toileting process.

Visual prompts can provide a step-by-step guide and reduce anxiety or confusion.

You could add a visual, step by step picture map onto the wall in your bathroom so they can refer to it.

Medication or supplements

In some cases, healthcare professionals may recommend laxatives or stool softeners to alleviate constipation.

However, medication should be used under the guidance of a qualified nurse or doctor.

Probiotic supplements might also be considered to assist, but their effectiveness in relieving constipation varies from person to person.

Disimpaction

If your child has been suffering with constipation for a long period of time they may have to go through a process called disimpaction.

This is when they are given an increasing amount of laxatives for a set period of time to really clear the bowls.

Speaking from experience as we had to do this with our child, this can be a challenging period.

The concept behind it is that if a child has been constipated for a long period of time then they almost have a rugby ball of packed poo in their bowl.

Regular doses of laxative (laxido in our case) just soften the edge of the ‘rugby ball’ without breaking through.

They can give the impression of having worked as your child will pass a stool but it will not address the underlying problem.

The advice we were given was to up the dosage until the poo is coming out in a pure liquid form, like coffee.

Only then will you know that the ‘rugby ball’ has been completely broken down.

One of the many problems with a child having a packed lump of poo in their bowl for a long period of time is that it confuses the signals of when they need to go.

If you think about it their bowl is almost always full, so how do they distinguish when they need to go or not?

In addition and more worryingly it can cause long term incontinence from damaging the muscles used to hold in and release poo.

We had to get to a stage when our child was having 12 doses of laxative a day before we were satisfied it had worked.

Naturally it goes without saying that you should speak to a doctor or nurse before embarking on a period of disimpaction.

Summary – Autism constipation remedies

Addressing constipation in autistic children requires a comprehensive approach that considers their unique needs and challenges.

Parents can make the first step by implementing dietary modifications and trying to install a routine.

If those basic remedies do not work then you could consider medication or supplements after obtaining medical advice.

Finally there is the process of disimpaction to consider, again after consulting with a professional.