Autism

We often receive queries from a parent who has a child or teenager with autism. One point that we can be certain of is that most children with autism are suffering from the same factors that cause bedwetting in other children, that is small bladder capacity, too much urine at night caused by a hormone imbalance, very deep sleep and constipation.

One special factor is that some children with autism may react differently to an alarm sound. We have found that a small percentage of children are frightened of the alarm sound and do not want the alarm used on the second night. If the alarm sound works well to wake the child best then it may be possible to put the alarm on after the child has gone to sleep, however with our alarm you have the option of other sounds.

We only stock the Malem MO5 alarm, which gives you a choice of alarm sound with vibration or a recorded message or vibration alone (usually used for daytime wetting). The recorded message is usually set with a message from the parent or child saying wake up, child’s name, stop wetting the bed. Alternatively the recording can be set to the child’s mobile phone ring tone or any other sound that wakes them. The important thing is to use whichever setting wakes the child most easily.

Recently we received the following feedback from a mother. Below is her original question.

My whole family would like send a huge thank you for your products and information. My son, 12, who has autism, was dry at night from around 4yrs to 8yrs of age before reverting to bedwetting at night. At first it was occasional but as time went by it happened nightly. I purchased the full set of alarm, pads, quilt cover and DVD.I followed your protocol on the DVD and the results where amazing. Within a month he was dry at night again. It has been about 4 months since then and the alarm has not had to come back out of the wardrobe. He is getting up and going to the toilet in the morning. It has made life a lot easier. Mother from Brisbane, Queensland.

Original query

My 11yr old son wets the bed every night. He has autism and associated intellectual / speech problems. When he was younger he was usually dry, but it seems as if after wetting the bed occasionally, he has gone to becoming comfortable with wetting his bed and prefers this over getting up & going to the toilet. The reason I say this is because he will often wet his bed even when wearing pull–ups and the pull–ups will be dry in the morning, therefore he has gone while awake. Also he will wet the bed before going to sleep sometimes. My reason for writing is do you think the alarm will work in his situation or is he likely to just rip it out as he doesn’t have the incentive to stop wetting the bed, whereas other kids are trying hard to stop. Do you think it would be worth a try? My paediatrician suggested hiring one? I would value your opinion on this.