[DeeVee]

Most of you know I have five little kiddos, so I expect and have seen a wide range of behaviors, and I try not to get too stressed out or surprised by much. But I may be up against more than I can handle:

For the second time this week, Jesse has reached into his diaper and smeared poo on himself, and on whatever else is around. Yes, I've had infants do this (12 months and youger), but Jesse is three and a half years old. He is autistic (dx is PDD-NOS; personally, I strongly suspect he is ADHD as well), and I would classify him as non-verbal, though he is now learning some words (does not use them consistently to make requests, does not always use them with meaning). Anyway, the first time he did his lovely new trick, I think he was just bored. Today, I think he was not happy that he was in bed and supposed to be taking a nap. Obviously, these are only guesses as to why.

We go for behavioral therapy, he gets speech and OT through the school district; we are trying to help him in whatever ways we can. But what is up with this? I have no way of knowing for certain whether or not he understands when I tell him he is not allowed to do that - though my guess is that he does understand.

I'd cross-post on SN forum if I knew how to do that.

Thanks for any insight.

[mommytoEli]

um...eli is 3.5...with sensory issues, just potty trained weeks ago...he definitely would not have smeered his poo. so i'm going to vote for not normal. that being said....i remember watching some talk show where they interviewed a lady who had multiples (twins or triplets...can't remember) with cognitive issues...and this is something they did. she said to combat it, she cut the feet out of footie jammies and put them on the girls backwards. i remembered what she said and put it in the back of my head....thinking eli might need that. but he didn't...so i give that idea to you. maybe it could be his napping and sleeping outfit. just a thought. it wouldn't stop whatever he was feeling that made him do it...but maybe it would stop the mess you have to clean up. lol. i'm sorry. 3 year old poo is so nasty. i count my lucky stars eli finally agreed to potty train! good luck!!!!

[cborsa7]

I don't know that i would call it normal, BUT, this happens with some kids and more than you would think.
My bio son was 3 when he painted the walls with it. (now 10 and would kill me to know I shared this here, I'm sure) This topic actually came up with a mother at a play date we were on last week who experienced the same thing, her daughter is 3. I think some kids maybe are just curious, who knows.
So, again, while I wouldn't say it something I would call normal for all, I don't think it is a sign for anything. It's just another gross thing some kids do.

[w8ting4Thomas]

My nephew is almost 3 and has been doing this for 6 months now. He will take his diaper off and run his Thomas trains through it. His mom (my SIL) is a nurse by profession) and has resulted to duct tape, backward clothes, etc. At this point she has learned to laugh (when not around him!) and insists he is a boy and this will pass. I think I would die...now as soon as I say that DS will start this too!!!

[Pipercub]

Ah, yes. Poo Painting as we call it in our house. Totally normal. Both my bio and adopted daughters have delved into this little hobby. Both were quite proud of their artwork. Quite the (disgusting) little artists they were. Totally gross. But yeah. Not anything to freak out over from a behavior standpoint. Just one more thing to teach them not to do. I usually switched to outfits that made it hard for them to reach in for a couple weeks, like overalls. Some kids do it. Some kids don't. I wouldn't freak out over it. Sorry you have to endure it. Us moms deserve a "I survived Poo Painting" badge.

[Pipercub]

Oh, and by the way to be an encouragement...I checked with several doctors and consulted a number of resources and they assured me this is "normal" for many toddlers. They learn by exploring. They also like to see how we react to their behavior so I was encouraged to be nearly non-reactive (as far as the kids could see). (That's hard to do when you're talking about poo!) If you google Toddler Poop Smear (ah the things you never thought you'd google) you'll find many, many other parents who have encountered the same thing with their toddlers and the response is nearly always that it is not something to be alarmed over and then to offer advice on how to work through it.

Again, sorry you're having to go through it and hope he outgrows it quickly for you! <3

Here's one article with some great tips: babyshrink.com » poop smearing

[DeeVee]

Originally Posted by Pipercub

) If you google Toddler Poop Smear (ah the things you never thought you'd google)

ROTFLMAO! You are too funny. Thanks for the encouragment.

And thanks everyone for your PMs and replies. Though it's disgusting, I guess I should not be completely alarmed. His special educator suggested we try potty training (as did another poster who PM'd me); I'm not convinced that Jesse's going to be able to do it yet, but I'll give it a try

[cborsa7]

Pipercub..LMAO..your hilarious!!

[shelbydog]

Some of our family member's kids did it around that age. Totally normal! Hope it gets better.