Conditions: Encopresis Autistic Disorder
Keywords: Behavioral Symptoms Child Development Disorders, Pervasive Bowel Incontinence Constipation
Allocation: RANDOMIZED | Intervention model: PARALLEL
Enrollment: 22
Healthy volunteers: no

Brief summary:
The purpose of this study is to try to treat bowel movement (BM) accidents differently with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study will use over-the-counter (OTC) medications to evoke predictable bowel movements. This will make it possible for investigators to use certain strategies to reward BMs in the toilet. Independence will be increased by fading out the use of medications. The investigators will also train caregivers to implement the procedures.

Detailed description:
A large percentage of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are delayed in achieving continence with bowel movements or never achieve it at all (i.e., they meet criteria for encopresis). This problem has tremendous ramifications for these individuals and their families because encopresis restricts them from integration with peers, limits access to educational opportunities, and carries significant social stigma. Previous interventions for encopresis in this population have either been unsuccessful or required implementation over very long periods.

Arms:
arm 1: Pediatric subjects with autistic spectrum disorder will begin treatment immediately. The treatment program will consist of 10 appointments of up to 4 hours each, over a 14 day period, followed by 4 weekly 1-hour follow-up visits. During each appointment, subjects will be guided to sit on the toilet. If the participant has a continent urination they will be provided with praise and remain on the toilet. If a participant has a continent bowel movement they will be provided with enthusiastic praise along with positive reinforcement and they will be allowed to leave the bathroom. A continent bowel movement will end that day's appointment. If necessary, glycerin suppositories, bisacodyl suppositories, and/or senna may be used to aid in the bowl movement. arm 2: Pediatric subjects with autistic spectrum disorder will wait for 8 weeks and then be offered treatment at that time.The treatment program will consist of 10 appointments of up to 4 hours each, over a 14 day period, followed by 4 weekly 1-hour follow-up visits. During each appointment, participants will be guided to sit on the toilet. If the participant has a continent urination they will be provided with praise and remain on the toilet. If a participant has a continent bowel movement they will be provided with enthusiastic praise along with positive reinforcement and they will be allowed to leave the bathroom. A continent bowel movement will end that day's appointment. If necessary, glycerin suppositories, bisacodyl suppositories, and/or senna may be used to aid in the bowl movement.

Interventions: intervention 1: Glycerin Suppository intervention 2: Bisacodyl suppository intervention 3: Senna
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: Nursing staff will administer one glycerin suppository in the bathroom if there is no continent bowl movement in the first 30 minutes. Subjects will be taken to the bathroom 5 minutes after the suppository is administered for a 30 minute sit or until a continent void occurs. If continent bowel movements maintain on two subsequent days (after bisacodyl suppositories are discontinued) the glycerin suppository will be discontinued. At least one primary caregiver will be trained on all components of intervention still in use on the last day their child's admission. Four weekly follow-up appointments will be used to support them as they continue to implement the protocol at home, including continuing to fade out the use of medications for participants who are at least partially continent but not fully independent at the time of discharge. intervention 2: If a subject does not have a bowel movement during the 30 minute sit following administration of the glycerin suppository, they will be given a 1 hour break, after which a bisacodyl suppository will be administered. The participant will then sit for an additional 30 minutes.If continent bowel movements maintain for two subsequent days (after senna is discontinued) bisacodyl suppositories will be discontinued if it was required. At least one primary caregiver will be trained on all components of intervention still in use on the last day their child's admission. Four weekly follow-up appointments will be used to support them as they continue to implement the protocol at home, including continuing to fade out the use of medications for participants who are at least partially continent but not fully independent at the time of discharge. intervention 3: If no continent bowel movements occur for two consecutive treatment days, caregivers will be asked to administer senna each evening thereafter until medication tapering begins. Once there have been two successive days with continent bowel movements, senna will be removed from the intervention if it was required.

Protocol document: