Walter was a smart, two-year-old when his parents became concerned with some odd behaviors. These included hitting his head on the floor, difficulties with transitions, separation anxiety with his mother, and constipation. Walter’s pediatrician had determined that the constipation was due to his refusal to go as opposed to a physical problem. Often when a child refuses to have a bowel movement, other behavioral issues arise as well that can be helped with occupational therapy. Walter was referred to our clinic and we began seeing him.

One of the first things our therapist did was recommend that Walter also see a GI to help manage medication to soften his stools. This was due to the fact that the longer a child refuses to go, the harder the stools become and the more difficult it can be to pass. Along with the medication, our occupational therapist began exercises to help get the bowels moving and taught his parents massages for this purpose as well. Shortly after this, Walter started having regular bowel movements, but only while he slept.

With this promising sign, our therapist began educating Walter, using picture stories, about why it is important for our bodies to poop. She also taught him breathing exercises to help stay calm, and different positions to make going to the bathroom more comfortable. In addition, she began using sensory integration techniques to help him stop hitting his head.

Four months after Walter started with us, he no longer hit is head on the floor, transitions were becoming easier, he could leave his mother without becoming distraught, and he no longer refused to use the bathrooms. His parents were so glad that he had stopped harming himself, and that he was confident should they need to leave him for a few hours with another care giver. Now that he was regularly having bowel movements, they could start potty training. Walter was discharged from our care, and he and his family were happy and ready for the next stage of his childhood.