Thompson Center staff take potty talk to Columbia Public Schools autism teachers

By Adrienne Cornwall

COLUMBIA, MO (January 8, 2015) — Getting up in front of a room can be intimidating – especially when you’re talking body functions.

But when staff from the Thompson Center share tips on managing constipation in children with autism, they serve the education program with plenty of humor.

“You have to be able to laugh at potty jokes with this material,” said Alicia Curran, coordinator of the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network grant at the Thompson Center.

Curran, along with nurse Shawna Mabe and registered dietitian Sheila Chapman, took the Constipation Tool Kit Talk to Columbia Public Schools autism teachers on Nov. 20.

“Collaborating with the Thompson Center is a unique opportunity to gain valuable information on aspects of Autism Spectrum Disorders that affect our students both inside and outside the classroom,” said Lukin Murphy, an autism specialist for the Columbia Public School District who put the Tool Kit Talk on the agenda for this quarterly meeting of Columbia’s autism teachers.

The talk, based on the Constipation Tool Kit educational resource from national autism advocacy group Autism Speaks, offers caregivers and educators recommendations for helping identify and treat constipation safely in children with autism as well as prepare for an impact on behavior.

“When kiddos are uncomfortable, it can make attention and behavior issues worse,” said Curran.

Mabe shared information on the physical causes and ways to identify constipation in children. One of the handouts included a chart as a visual aid for categorizing the appearance of stool, which can be a clue when a child can’t communicate verbally.

Chapman recommended some easy classroom strategies that teachers can incorporate into the school day, such as allowing the student to have a water bottle at their desk, to ensure hydration, and increasing opportunities for the child to use the bathroom if constipation is suspected. Additionally, she emphasized the importance of good communication between educators and parents when there are known gastrointestinal problems.

“The presentation was very informative and will undoubtedly help us better educate students in our programs,” Murphy said.

Curran will bring another Tool Kit Talk to CPS in March on sleep issues in children with autism.