Hi! I have 2 kids on the spectrum, and we had similar problems but to different extents with both my kids. We had a "Poop Chart" on the bathroom wall where the kids could mark the days when they had a BM (also a great help for mom to keep track). We had rewards for pooping 5 out of 7 days, rewards for sitting on the pot for a certain period of time, and we did a lot of reading to them while they were on the pot. Miralax worked for my daughter after I cut the dose in half; it felt "spikey" and "painful" otherwise. Explaining the digestive process in an age-appropriate way is helpful, because they usually don't want to experience encopresis either! We also used Benefiber on a regular basis because it could be added to ANY thing (Koolaid, mac-and-cheese, applesauce) and was tolerable even to her hyper-sensitive tongue. Don't give up hope: this phase will pass, er, so to speak . . .

Hi, we have been dealing with this for a long time. My son is 10, his first bout of severe constipation was at 4 months.

Although I've never heard of Miralax directly causing behavioural problems, it definitely could have caused abdominal discomfort or pain that he expressed that way. The doctor may not be aware of how our kids express themselves when they can't think of the words...just a thought.

Anyway, it isn't the only medication on the market for this problem. So you are right to not use it if you felt it did more harm than good.

We use Lactulose. It is a synthetic sugar and a stool softener (not a laxative) and is safe to use daily.

We only use it now as needed or when my son hasn't had a bowel movement in 24hrs. Then we give it to him in the evening and he has to sit on the toilet after breakfast the next morning. We try to keep him on a schedule because he will hold it in otherwise, and you know what happens then. :P

The schedule (stool softener in the evening, sitting in the toilet after breakfast) was the most important factor in getting on top of this and needs to continue for quite a while after the initial constipation is over. For us, it was about 3 months before we gradually tapered off the lactulose, but kept the morning routine of going to the toilet after breakfast.
The colon needs that time to stretch back to its regular size and not be overworked.

My son now understands that other kids don't want to play with a boy who smells like poop so that has helped him stay motivated when he doesn't 'feel' like sitting on the toilet, although at 6, he didn't care too much about having friends so it wasn't as motivating then.

We also never shamed him so we can talk about it openly, without emotions getting in the way.

Keep working on it, he'll get there. My son still has the odd episode but only when we haven't been paying attention to the poop schedule. ;)

Hi, I have 4 kids but my youngest, which is 8, has autism and chronic colitis. He's a very picky eater as well and the food is not very healthy either but as long as he eats something is good enough for me. We found a great pediatric gastroenterologist, but it is a 3 hour drive for us just to get there. The doctor is very understanding about my son's issues. My son has been in the hospital 4 times within a year due to his colitis so that has helped him take his med better. He use to be on liquid medicine but is now on all pills. I use to try to get meds that dissolve, but is very difficult to get. Out here we don't have much resources, we have to travel quite a bit. My son only eats crunchy foods but sometimes changes, use to eat fish sticks but now eats mac & cheese. My son does wear pull ups but does pee in the toilet but won't poop. I think it's going to be an ongoing battle, which is fine with me. We will get it someday.

I too have a 16.5 year old who has the same issues;however I have never heard of Miralx with those side effects.. I use it once a week with him and it seems to however.Sensory therapy has helped and he now chews big wads of hubba bubba to keep that jaw going..he is now expanding his dietary regime..he just started to take an occasional Tylenol for headaches, no other pills' yours does milk of magnesia kudos.... try 1/4 wedge of lettuce at dinner maybe some sweetened prune juice, for some apple juice even works as a laxative...while it does not get easier; we as parents learn to adapt..thoughts and hugs to you

I have a 15 year old that has encopresis. And like your son has food issues and could detect anything in her food or drink. However I found that Miralax would work for her. It was undetectable in her drink or food. My older daughter used it for her son and had told me about it. We have also struggled with eating and tried everything but found that if we gave her kust a few pieces of food at a time worled. Like 5 pieces of.corn kernels or 5 green beans. We started that when she was about your son`s age and 8 years later she eats salad and a spoonful of veggies. She still does not like veggies and we do still have to work with her but at least she is trying. It is not an easy road and it will take patience and determination but it is worrh it. I am here if you need to talk.