When Sensory Processing Differences Make Pooping Hard: Understanding and Helping Your Child
Aug 18, 2025
For many children with sensory processing differences, using the bathroom—particularly for bowel movements—isn’t as simple as “just going when you need to.” Parents often feel frustrated or concerned when their child withholds poop, has frequent accidents, or seems fearful of the toilet. But these struggles are not always about stubbornness or “bad habits.” They are often rooted in the way a child’s nervous system processes sensory input.
Understanding Sensory Processing and Poop Challenges
Sensory processing refers to how the brain receives and interprets information from the senses. This includes not only the five senses we typically think about, but also interoception (the sense of what’s happening inside the body), proprioception (body position), and vestibular (balance and movement).
When a child has sensory processing differences, their experience of bodily sensations—including the feeling of needing to poop—can be atypical. This can show up in a few common ways:
1. Low Interoceptive Awareness
Some children simply don’t register the body’s “need to go” signals until the urge is extremely strong—or sometimes not at all. They might be so absorbed in play that they miss subtle cues.
2. High Sensitivity to Sensations
For others, the physical sensations of having a bowel movement—pressure, stretching, or the feel of wiping—may be overwhelming or even painful. This can lead to avoidance.
3. Tactile Sensitivities
Toilet paper texture, the feel of the toilet seat, or even the temperature of the bathroom can be distressing for kids with tactile defensiveness.
4. Fear of Letting Go
Some children feel unsettled by the sensation of stool leaving the body, or the sound of the flush, or even seeing poop in the toilet. For a sensory-sensitive brain, these can feel intense.
5. Postural and Motor Challenges
Kids with sensory processing differences may also have low muscle tone or poor core stability, making it harder to sit comfortably on the toilet or bear down effectively.
The Withholding Cycle
Once a child has a negative or uncomfortable experience, they may begin withholding—deliberately avoiding pooping. This can lead to constipation, which makes the next poop harder and more painful, reinforcing the fear. Over time, this cycle can cause medical issues and make toilet training (or re-training) more difficult.
Intervention Principles
Helping a child with sensory-based poop struggles requires addressing the sensory root causes while also supporting healthy toileting routines. It’s not just about telling the child to “try harder”—it’s about making the process feel safe, predictable, and comfortable.
Below are extensive suggestions and interventions you can mix and match based on your child’s needs.
1. Support Interoception
Body check breaks: Build in regular “bathroom breaks” at predictable intervals, regardless of whether the child says they need to go.
Interoceptive awareness games: Use activities that connect body sensations with emotions and actions (e.g., “When my tummy feels full and tight, it means I might need the toilet”).
Movement prompts: Encourage physical activities that stimulate digestion and awareness, like gentle yoga twists or animal walks before bathroom time.
2. Reduce Sensory Overload in the Bathroom
Lighting: Use softer, indirect light if bright overhead lighting is bothersome.
Sound: If the flush is startling, allow the child to leave the room before flushing or use a quieter flush.
Temperature: Warm up the bathroom beforehand or use a heated seat if cold surfaces are aversive.
Privacy and safety: Offer a small step stool for feet to rest on and create a cozy, contained feel if large open bathrooms feel overwhelming.
3. Improve Postural Stability
Foot support: Ensure feet are planted on a stool to create stability and help with pushing.
Hip/knee positioning: Aim for knees slightly higher than hips for optimal bowel mechanics.
Core strengthening games: Incorporate activities like wheelbarrow walking or therapy ball play outside of bathroom time to support toilet posture.
4. Address Tactile Sensitivities
Wiping options: Try soft, fragrance-free flushable wipes, or use damp toilet paper. Some kids tolerate a bidet or spray better than wiping.
Gradual desensitization: Let the child practice touching different textures outside of bathroom time to build tolerance.
Clothing considerations: Avoid tight waistbands that can increase sensory discomfort and physical pressure on the abdomen.
5. Make the Process Predictable and Low-Stress
Visual supports: Post a simple picture sequence showing each step of using the toilet.
Choice and control: Allow the child to choose which bathroom they use, the kind of wipe, or a favorite scent for handwashing.
Comfort items: A small fidget or stuffed animal can help regulate anxiety.
6. Use Play and Storytelling
Role play: Have the child’s favorite toys “use the potty” in pretend play to normalize the process.
Books: Use children’s books about potty time that feature neurodivergent or sensitive characters.
Games: Create a bathroom chart where each successful try (not just success) earns a sticker toward a non-food reward. (caveat: some parents who want to avoid all rewards/punishments may not find this to be a good fit. But, this can work well for some children early in the process.)
7. Collaborate with Professionals
Pediatrician or GI specialist: Rule out medical causes of constipation or pain.
Occupational therapist: Address sensory modulation, interoceptive awareness, and toileting posture.
Behavioral or feeding therapist: Support children who have anxiety or rigid routines around body functions.
Pooping struggles in children with sensory processing differences are not just about willpower—they’re about how the child experiences their body and environment. When we slow down, address their sensory needs, and create a supportive plan, we can help them break the withholding cycle and build healthier, happier bathroom habits.
With patience, consistency, and a little creativity, the bathroom can become a place of calm rather than conflict.
Parenting Alongside You,
Dr. Emma and the Aparently Parenting Team
SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE PARENTING RESOURCES
We know you're busy! So, we'll make sure to only send the IMPORTANT PARENTING stuff!!
We hate SPAM. We will never sell your information, for any reason.
