When Your Autistic Child May Need To See A Urologist

Health & Medical Blog

When you think of urology, you may not think of your autistic child. You may not think of children in general. The truth is, autistic and other special needs children can have several urology problems. In fact, these problems may be lost and combined as just a part of the potty training stages. Though potty training is an issue, there are times when you should be concerned and seek the advice of a licensed urologist. Here are some of those signs and what to know about each one.

Painful Urination

An issue that many autistic children have is with conveying when they are in pain. This is due to many children on the spectrum having either a higher registration of pain or lower. If your child has a higher registration of pain, they may not feel the painful urination until it is already in advanced stages. If your child is nonverbal, that adds another level of issues, namely the issue of not being able to tell you properly what is going on. You may know they are in pain, but it may take a long time to figure out what it is related to. Keep an eye out for your child wincing during urination or acting uncomfortable. If it happens routinely, you may want to consider an appointment with your urologist. 

Ongoing Incontinence

Incontinence is an issue many autistic children and special needs children face. Children on the spectrum may take significantly longer to potty train. You may find that your child is still in some form of diaper either at night or throughout the day. This is normal for a child on the spectrum. However, if you begin to get them on a routine and have them respond to that potty routine only to have sudden incontinence begin again, you may have a bladder issue presenting in your child's daily routine. This could be a bladder infection or could be a weakness that needs to be assessed as soon as possible. 

Yeast or Bladder Infections

You may notice your child is having ongoing yeast or bladder infections. This can be evident either with your daughter or son. If your son is uncircumcised you may notice issues around their foreskin with reddening, swelling, or discoloration. These are signs there may be an infection that needs immediate attention. With girls, you may notice swelling, redness, or discoloration near the vaginal area during diaper changes. This can also be a sign of infection and you should contact your urologist as soon as possible.

If you are experiencing any of these issues, or if you are concerned about your autistic child's urology health, contact a urologist of your choice. They will schedule an appointment to assess your child's current situation. They will also discuss issues you may have, signs to keep an eye out for, and any concerns you may have of a potty training or treatment plan related to your specific child's needs. To learn more about this topic, contact a company like Nashville Healthcare Center.

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