Ethan, age 5.6
First clinic meeting with parents on May 23rd 2019
At a meeting with Ethan’s parents on May 23rd 2019, they told me that Ethan controls his bladder by day and night. He poops in the toilet, but in additions there are several small bowel movements in his underpants during the day. He goes to the bathroom only when his parents absolutely force him to. Prizes and reinforcements don’t really work. Until two months ago he was absolutely clean. The parents think everything started after his father slapped him. The pediatrician referred Ethan to me. He’s very opinionated and stubborn. Extremely independent. Unwilling to accept authority. A very smart child with a terrific memory, good coordination, excellent ability to concentrate. He is rather jumpy and agitated.
I instructed the parents about implementing disciplinary therapy
Follow-up
On 28th May 2019, five days after our first meeting at the clinic. Ethan’s mother told me that right after the first conversation a drastic improvement in the situation got underway. The boy changed his behavior. He makes a point of keeping clean and having full bowel movements in the toilet. And that is even before he heard about the program’s details.
On 23rd June, a month and a half after the first meeting at the clinic. There were two relapses and then they launched the program. He experienced the punishment three times, and since then has resumed full control of his bowel movements. Since two weeks ago, they stopped applying the regulations at all. Even when they were on vacation, away from home, he behaved perfectly. He’s very proud that he managed to overcome the problem. Family members feel that the problem has disappeared. Ethan himself is really happy with his achievements. He also reports a huge improvement in his self-perception and in other areas. He asked for a prize for his achievement and his mother explained that the real prize is staying clean and controlling his bowel movements. But, he has and will receive prizes and gifts in all kinds of areas, without connection to the question of poop.