| We know that in Autism, bowel problems are big | | | | hands to provide relief to their abdomen by |
| issues, in my experience it is almost universal. | | | | pushing on it themselves. They could also be |
| Whether the child is small, an older child or even a | | | | leveraging themselves on the furniture in response |
| teenager, we can usually expect some sort of | | | | to the pain from small bowel inflammation. So |
| bowel issue and there are many reasons for that. | | | | recognizing posturing as a potential medical |
| If you have a child who lacks the sensation that | | | | problem and seeking medical attention is |
| they need to have a bowel movement then that | | | | important. |
| can be a problem. Some children have bowel | | | | An easy thing to do is to ask your pediatrician or |
| inflammation which we know is problematic. And I | | | | family doctor for an abdominal x-ray. An |
| see many children who are very constipated and | | | | abdominal x-ray will show you how much stool |
| as a result, can have many behavioral issues. | | | | they have stored up in their bowel. Even if you |
| This is where the topic of posturing comes in. | | | | child has a bowel movement everyday, there still |
| Posturing is where a child will lean over the edge | | | | could be much more stool there that needs to be |
| of a piece of furniture, that can be a couch, chair, | | | | released. And an x-ray is a good way to know |
| even a table, to try and bring some relief to their | | | | for sure what is going on. |
| abdominal area. I am not talking about a child | | | | Once again, behaviors such as posturing can make |
| being playful and leaning on furniture for a couple | | | | us aware of underlying bowel problems that need |
| of seconds and then running off to play. I have | | | | to be addressed by a doctor. Any sort of |
| some patients who posture for several minutes | | | | posturing on furniture, or even laying or rolling on |
| and it appears that they are trying to find a | | | | the ground to put pressure on the abdomen, can |
| comfortable position. Posturing could well be a sign | | | | be a sign that there are issues to be addressed. |
| of underlying bowel issues. | | | | If constipation is the problem, there are various |
| The child could be trying to find relief from the | | | | remedies, including magnesium and other laxatives, |
| cramping and discomfort of constipation through | | | | to help. With diarrhea, you may be seeing signs of |
| posturing. If a child is not having a bowel | | | | inflammation or infection and a stool test may be |
| movement everyday, that stool could be building | | | | warranted. These are all clues to look for and |
| up and causing that discomfort. Children do not | | | | posturing can be a very important one. |
| typically have the strength in their arms and | | | | |