Some also seem to have a poor sense of their bodily cues. Bowel training seems to be especially difficult for some children. Hypotonal muscle problems may cause an immature sphincter muscle, which affects bowel control. The child may not sense that he needs to have a bowel movement until it is too late. Poor eating habits may contribute to loose stools, or to constipation, which exacerbate the bowel problem further.
Toilet training seems to work best with a routine and fixed schedule.
Parents and teachers may want to have the child urinate every thirty minutes when he is in preschool or elementary school. He may need to sit on the toilet at a certain time after breakfast or lunch, if a schedule of bowel movements can be determined. Most boys with fragile X become independent with regard to their toileting needs, but patience and vigilance are needed by parents and caregivers to get to that stage.