Dr Phil Kieran: What can I do to help my child have regular bowel movements?

With neurodiversity, some of the sensations that most of us take for granted can be difficult to interpret, and responding to these can manifest in strict dietary preferences and aversions to certain tastes or textures.

We would all like to find a way for our kids to eat more vegetables and higher-fibre foods so they can manage their bowel movements without relying on medicated solutions. This is not always the case.

My six-year-old is neurodivergent and has had constipation since he was about two. I’m giving him an OTC stool softener as recommended by the GP and ensuring he drinks plenty of water. He’s a picky eater — so he won’t touch vegetables unless they are blended into a sauce. I put fruit in his lunchbox every day, but it mostly comes back uneaten. Is there anything else I can do to encourage regular bowel habits?

Children and vegetables. I don’t think there is any greater point of conflict in the history of parenting. For children with additional sensory considerations, this issue can be even more problematic.