"Dont go Autistic on Me"
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I've been on the forum for years and this idea of autism spectrum and unexplained incontinence never was discussed so it appears a helpful tool that the concept was brought up. I noticed there are multiple issues from injury to abuse surgeries that link to unexplained incontinence which was a torment to many from childhood or dismiss Ed as over active b
Adder in adults after the usual tests
Adder in adults after the usual tests
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@Honeeecombs Sorry to hear about all your issues growing up - hopefully the autism centre will be able to help.
@sport @Maymay941 Sport, it's interesting that they actively suggested it was linked. It certainly explains my issues growing up and beyond. Unfortunately, there doesn't appear to be a huge amount about of research about it. Most of the stuff online is just about issues with toilet training autistic kids and not much about adults.
When I found out about deficits with interoceptive awareness and autism it certainly made a lot of sense. I have issues regulating my temperature (people often remark how I can wear so much when it's hot or so little when it's cold) and often don't get hungry when I need to eat. Lack of awareness re toileting signals is also a problem. It's definitely gotten better as I've aged due to working on it but it got to a point where it's as good as it's going to get. Here's an article about it:
Article. I would say my incontinence issues were mild pre-Long Covid and most of the time I'd make it to the toilet in time but wearing protection made my life a lot easier and lessened my anxiety. Plus, my IBS issues have gotten worse as I've aged.
There is a research article which highlights the prevalence of bladder and bowel disfunction in autistic people:
Research Article.
I think one of the big issues is the problems around the terms 'high' and 'low' functioning when it comes to autism. I think the assumption tends to be that only those who are really low functioning have issues with toileting and have to wear protection but it's a spectrum across multiple aspects. Just because someone can appear high functioning doesn't mean there are lots of hidden issues.
The lack of awareness about how big the impact of autism can be also isn't helpful. Before I was in a wheelchair I'd get odd looks from people for using disabled toilets because I outwardly seemed to be a healthy young person. However, due to sensory overload issues, communal toilets are too overwhelming and I often needed to change my nappy or pull-up. The Changing Places campaign has been great for highlighting the need of many autistic people for somewhere to change.
@sport @Maymay941 Sport, it's interesting that they actively suggested it was linked. It certainly explains my issues growing up and beyond. Unfortunately, there doesn't appear to be a huge amount about of research about it. Most of the stuff online is just about issues with toilet training autistic kids and not much about adults.
When I found out about deficits with interoceptive awareness and autism it certainly made a lot of sense. I have issues regulating my temperature (people often remark how I can wear so much when it's hot or so little when it's cold) and often don't get hungry when I need to eat. Lack of awareness re toileting signals is also a problem. It's definitely gotten better as I've aged due to working on it but it got to a point where it's as good as it's going to get. Here's an article about it:
Article. I would say my incontinence issues were mild pre-Long Covid and most of the time I'd make it to the toilet in time but wearing protection made my life a lot easier and lessened my anxiety. Plus, my IBS issues have gotten worse as I've aged.
There is a research article which highlights the prevalence of bladder and bowel disfunction in autistic people:
Research Article.
I think one of the big issues is the problems around the terms 'high' and 'low' functioning when it comes to autism. I think the assumption tends to be that only those who are really low functioning have issues with toileting and have to wear protection but it's a spectrum across multiple aspects. Just because someone can appear high functioning doesn't mean there are lots of hidden issues.
The lack of awareness about how big the impact of autism can be also isn't helpful. Before I was in a wheelchair I'd get odd looks from people for using disabled toilets because I outwardly seemed to be a healthy young person. However, due to sensory overload issues, communal toilets are too overwhelming and I often needed to change my nappy or pull-up. The Changing Places campaign has been great for highlighting the need of many autistic people for somewhere to change.
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I agree Sci Fi Autism used to mean very low functioning people in common parlance. Now we realized a lot of people are in a very functional state on the other end.
I once spoke with a mother of two autistic boys who explained her husband was an engineer (not trains but the type that design) she said a very high level of Engineers are shy introverted people of high intelligence it their minds "work differently" especially with social and communication skills. The Engineers often married sh introverted women secretaries in the Engineering department and produced autistic children.
I once spoke with a mother of two autistic boys who explained her husband was an engineer (not trains but the type that design) she said a very high level of Engineers are shy introverted people of high intelligence it their minds "work differently" especially with social and communication skills. The Engineers often married sh introverted women secretaries in the Engineering department and produced autistic children.
Archives1
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@Sci_Fi_Fan: Thanks man! Take care -
@sport: I definetly believe there has gotta be a link to bladder issues and people being on the spectrum or having some sort of childhood impairment.
Today I contacted the Autism Center in our local area and going set up an appointment to see someone and go over my symptoms.
Maybe they can help myself with getting on the right program and services like medicaid so I can pursue treatment for my bladder condition. I need to go back to the urologist and talk to him about the pain from the spasms, nocturnal enuresis and the constant pressure of having to urinate. The constant pain some days are my biggest concern, and the leakage of course.
Thank you guys for all your support. We're all in this boat together.
Sincerely,
HC
@sport: I definetly believe there has gotta be a link to bladder issues and people being on the spectrum or having some sort of childhood impairment.
Today I contacted the Autism Center in our local area and going set up an appointment to see someone and go over my symptoms.
Maybe they can help myself with getting on the right program and services like medicaid so I can pursue treatment for my bladder condition. I need to go back to the urologist and talk to him about the pain from the spasms, nocturnal enuresis and the constant pressure of having to urinate. The constant pain some days are my biggest concern, and the leakage of course.
Thank you guys for all your support. We're all in this boat together.
Sincerely,
HC
Archives1
Staff member
@Maymay941 Yeah, it's a hard one with 'high' and 'low' functioning. To me, it feels like every aspect of life with autism is a spectrum. I'm certainly extremely high functioning in certain respects and extremely low functioning in other respects. I guess I was able to live a pretty normal life with it so it all cancelled out.
@Honeeecombs No worries! It was good to talk about autism. What I like about this place is that whilst it's billed as purely being about incontinence, there's a lot of coverage of various disabilities here (possibly because incontinence is a symptom of so many conditions and illnesses).
Re a link between autism and incontinence - many on the spectrum (myself included) were premature births and that can cause developmental issues as well. I think one of the issues is identifying what is stuff people will 'grow out of' and what will stick around. Personally, I've found that the severity of my issues has lessened but none have gone away completely. I'm curious to see the results of a bladder scan when that happens. I'm guessing if it's normal then my issues (pre Long Covid anyway) were all down to interoceptive awareness issues.
@Honeeecombs No worries! It was good to talk about autism. What I like about this place is that whilst it's billed as purely being about incontinence, there's a lot of coverage of various disabilities here (possibly because incontinence is a symptom of so many conditions and illnesses).
Re a link between autism and incontinence - many on the spectrum (myself included) were premature births and that can cause developmental issues as well. I think one of the issues is identifying what is stuff people will 'grow out of' and what will stick around. Personally, I've found that the severity of my issues has lessened but none have gone away completely. I'm curious to see the results of a bladder scan when that happens. I'm guessing if it's normal then my issues (pre Long Covid anyway) were all down to interoceptive awareness issues.
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