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Ann Costigan

Ann Costigan

Irish Registered Paediatric Nurse, founder of @pooandtheloo, and author of Poo on the Loo — specializing in children's toileting, constipation, and potty training.

Aug 1, 2026

The Autism Educator Podcast

The Autism Educator Podcast

Autism Poo Withholding and Toileting with Ann Costigan

Aug 1 · 25m

Amanda McGuinness
Amanda McGuinnessHOST
5:03
So
Ann Costigan
Ann CostiganGUEST
5:03
how do we help a child who is doing this? It's really important for parents to remember that it's not by choice.
Ann Costigan
Ann CostiganGUEST
5:10
The child isn't choosing to do this.
Ann Costigan
Ann CostiganGUEST
5:13
It's their nervous system working against their natural urge to do a poo.
Ann Costigan
Ann CostiganGUEST
5:17
And it's their anxious around pooing.
Ann Costigan
Ann CostiganGUEST
5:19
They have a fear of it.
Ann Costigan
Ann CostiganGUEST
5:21
And it is important that we break it down into smaller compartments so that we can work on each part of it individually.

12 MINS LATER

Amanda McGuinness
Amanda McGuinnessHOST
17:56
Have you any advice for those parents listening? And thank you so much for your advice.

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