Enuresis in autistic children

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Bedwetting is one of the many challenges faced by children with autism. A number of these children have difficulty going to the toilet and may find it difficult to dry themselves during the day, let alone at night. There are many reasons why an autistic child may have difficulty going to the toilet. One of them is that these children are not good mimics. Therefore, unlike neurotypical children who would like to imitate adults in what they do, such as toilet training, these children may not have the ability to do so. Another reason is that these children do not feel damp and may sleep through it. A number of these children are also hypotonic. Childhood autism is characterised by a relaxation of muscle control and an inability to react to or understand stimuli (for example, the urge to urinate). What causes enuresis? The causes of enuresis in autistic children are not very different from those of normally growing children. Difficulty in recognising that a full bladder is present Small bladder Insufficient antidiuretic hormone Severe constipation Anxiety Sleep apnoea When should you be concerned?However, if your child has been bedwetting for a long time or has suddenly started bedwetting after being dry for at least six weeks, you should be concerned. Take note of the signs and symptoms. If your child wets the bed because of an illness such as urinary tract infection or constipation, or for any other medical reason, treatment for that illness may help. A number of other symptoms and signs may be... drinking more than usual Peeing too often Burning or painful sensation when urinating Swelling of the ankles or feet Wetness during the day The child pees during the day.It is generally more difficult to manage enuresis in autistic children. But patience and positive reinforcement using an ideal treatment strategy, such as a bedwetting alarm, can help your child succeed. Start looking for a portable bedwetting alarm or bedside bedwetting alarm and potential bedwetting solutions with which your child is familiar. Before choosing a therapy, understand the pros and cons. Medicines have side-effects, whereas bedwetting alarms offer a long-term remedy. In the meantime, it is possible to use disposable night-time underpants specifically made for children over the age of 5. In addition, check whether lifestyle changes or home remedies, such as adjusting your child's diet, encouraging them to go to bed twice before bedtime and taking regular toilet breaks throughout the day, can help your son or daughter overcome the return of the water. When you have a child, you can look out for waterproof mattress protectors that protect your mattress from stains.

Posted in: 1 - LE PIPI AU LIT, 2 - L'AUTISME, Informations sur l'énurésie