Encopresis:

Encopresis is behaviorally defined as fecal soiling in inappropriate places in children at four-years-of age or older.

It is most commonly associated with children who avoid the toilet stool, hide to toilet, and become overly dependent
on wearing diapers or pull-ups. Encopresis is a functional disorder in 95 percent of cases with no physical basis.
This is very frustrating for both physicians and parents as they seek physical causes. Indeed, Encopresis, in and
of itself, may result in severe medical and psychological consequences which can then negatively affect future
treatment.

The best known medical consequence of encopresis is an enlarged colon or megacolon due to an overlearned
dependence on the holding reflex for attempts to avoid accidents. This compromises the colon's ability to function
properly. The major medical specialty for encopresis is Pediatric Gastroenterology (PedGI). The PedGI can
diagnose this condition which is also known as Functional Fecal Retention or FFR. The favored treatment today
is to medicate with stool softeners and laxatives to attempt to keep the stool soft and promote passage (and
leakage for many children).

The rationale is that under this condition the colon will shrink back to a more normal condition and regain its
functionality. This can happen in 40 to 60 percent of children with Encopresis within one year .... up to 80 percent
in one study after eight years with lots of encouragement insisting that a child will grow out of it.

Effective alternative treatments have now become available giving parents more choices and more rapid results. 
The leading alternative and only home-based treatment is Soiling Solutions ® (SS) which is detailed in the Clean
Kid Manual (CKM) authored by Dr. Robert W. Collins. The CKM is available from the store at
http://encopresis.com/zencart/. Purchase of the CKM results in an automatic registration on the SS Parents’
Forum which includes other parents using the manual. 

The history and rationale for the SS protocol appeared in the journal Digestive Health Matters published by the
International Foundation of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD-see the article at
(http://www.encopresis.com/Articles.html). Many more insights about this treatment can be learned from the
Q&A column at http://www.encopresis.com/Questions_asked.html.