29/11/2025
Children who frequently touch their stool or "play" with their f***s often do so because of a complex mix of medical, sensory, and behavioral reasons. Medically, issues like constipation or gastrointestinal discomfort can lead to soiling, which causes a child to explore the area around their bottom or feel the need to remove stool from their body. Sensory processing plays a big role too; many children, especially those with autism, may seek extra sensory input because their brains process touch, smell, or texture differently. The sensation of stool being warm, soft, and smelly may oddly be pleasing or calming for them, especially if they are under-responsive to other sensory stimuli. Behaviorally, children might repeat this action because it gets a reaction, whether attention or stopping an unwanted activity. Sometimes, it serves as communication for unmet needs or frustration when they cannot express themselves verbally. Positive strategies include providing sensory outlets like play-dough or calming activities, maintaining predictable routines, avoiding strong reactions to the behavior, and seeking professional advice if it persists or worsens. A pediatric neurologist or behavioral specialist can guide individualized interventions to reduce this behavior while addressing underlying causes
Dr. Sumeet Dhawan is a respected pediatric neurologist based in Chandigarh who specializes in autism, ADHD, and developmental disorders. He offers expert evaluations and personalized treatment plans, focusing on helping families understand and address challenging behaviors through early intervention, home-based therapies, and practical guidance to support healthy child development.