Constipation in Autism

Constipation in Autism

Constipation is the most common bowel problem among individuals with Autism. About 5 – 30% of children in general experience constipation.

It is important to seek medical advice for constipation because there could be an underlying medical reason. Signs of a medical problem are a history of constipation since birth, weakness in the lower limbs, and abdominal distension with vomiting.

 Most children who are constipated tend to be healthy. Increasing fibre in the diet alone will not make constipation go away without adequate fluid intake. When a person is constipated, the large bowel becomes distended, but there is a lack of awareness that the bowel is full. The sense of feeling this is called interoceptive awareness.

Receptors located throughout the inside or our body, in our organs, muscles, skin, bones gather information from the inside of our body and send it to brain. People with autism tend to have impairment in this area. This means the signal of a full bladder or needing to eliminate does not reach the brain so there is no impetus to get to the toilet or the sensation of needing to go is felt too late (a full bladder to the point of bursting).

The problem with constipation is the longer poop stays inside the bowel, the harder it gets and becomes more painful to pass. This can become a viscous cycle because the child will do everything, they can to avoid the pain of pooping. This painful elimination memory can stay with children for years, even after the problem is fixed.