Encopresis, soiling and constipation in children and adults with developmental disability.
Behavioral toilet plans still lead the pack for encopresis in developmental disability, but the evidence is thin—collect your own data to help fill the gap.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Matson et al. (2009) read every paper they could find on soiling and constipation in people with developmental disability.
They did not run a new experiment. They wrote a story about what the past work shows and where the gaps are.
What they found
The review says behavioral plans are still the best bet for encopresis in this group.
Yet the authors warn: most studies are small, old, or weak. We need better proof.
How this fits with other research
Call et al. (2017) extends this view. They gave three kids with DD a simple plan: timed sits plus a glycerin suppository. All were clean within three weeks.
Smith (1996) is an earlier piece of the puzzle. Five adults with severe learning disability got a reward plan. Four stopped soiling completely.
DaWalt et al. (2025) adds a twist. Their new review shows constipation in autistic adults often hides behind sleep loss or new problem behavior. The 2009 paper missed this sign.
Why it matters
You can start a behavioral toilet plan today and probably see quick wins. Pair it with medical checks and watch for hidden signs like night waking or sudden aggression. Run your own tiny study—track data for four weeks and share it. We still need more bricks in this wall.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
Children and adults with developmental disabilities are more likely to evince encopresis, soiling and constipation than the general population. This set of related behaviors can produce a great deal of stress and can be a major restriction in independent living. This paper provides a review of the current state of knowledge on the prevalence, etiology, assessment and treatment of this co-occurring set of disorders. These problems are more common in persons with developmental disabilities then the general population. Furthermore, classical and operant treatment methods appear to be the best supported interventions for most cases. Strengths and weaknesses of the current research base are discussed along with potential avenues for future research.
Research in developmental disabilities, 2009 · doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2008.12.001