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Noticing When I Need to Poo is a neuroaffirmative social visual guide designed to support Autistic and neurodivergent children who may find it difficult to notice, recognise or understand the internal body signals associated with needing to poo.
Toileting is not simply about knowing when and where to use the toilet. Interoceptive differences can mean that the sensations associated with needing to poo are quiet, delayed, intense, confusing or difficult to interpret. A child may know that something feels different in their body without immediately understanding what that sensation means.
This visual resource introduces these experiences in clear, reassuring and accessible language. Rather than assuming that every child experiences the same obvious urge to use the toilet, it validates the many different ways poo signals can be experienced. The guide explores signals including pressure, fullness, heaviness, tummy discomfort, bubbling, restlessness and changes in concentration.
Children are also introduced to the idea that body signals can be very quiet and difficult to notice, or very strong and difficult to interpret. This helps move away from assumptions that a child is deliberately ignoring their need to use the toilet and towards curiosity about how their individual interoceptive system communicates.
The guide supports children to understand that they might notice a sensation without knowing exactly what it means, and that learning their body's unique language can take time, curiosity and support. It also reassures children that trusted adults can help them explore what their signals might mean and that trying the toilet can be one way of finding out what their body is communicating.
Everybody poos
How the body sends internal signals
Interoception and recognising the need to poo
Different ways poo signals might feel
Quiet, subtle or delayed body signals
Very strong or overwhelming body signals
Feeling something without knowing what it means
Learning to recognise individual body patterns
Trying the toilet when a body signal might mean poo
Getting support from a trusted adult
Developing curiosity about the body's unique communication
This resource may be particularly helpful for Autistic children, ADHD children and other neurodivergent children with interoceptive differences, as well as children who need additional visual support when learning about toileting and their bodies.
Suitable for use by parents, teachers, SNAs, SEN professionals, occupational therapists and other professionals supporting neurodivergent children with toileting and interoceptive awareness.
A gentle, visual approach to helping children move from “Something feels different” towards gradually recognising “This might be one of my poo signals.”
Digital PDF resource. Ideal for use at home, in school, Autism classes, Early Years settings or alongside individualised toilet learning support.
Noticing When I Need to Poo is a neuroaffirmative social visual guide designed to support Autistic and neurodivergent children who may find it difficult to notice, recognise or understand the internal body signals associated with needing to poo.
Toileting is not simply about knowing when and where to use the toilet. Interoceptive differences can mean that the sensations associated with needing to poo are quiet, delayed, intense, confusing or difficult to interpret. A child may know that something feels different in their body without immediately understanding what that sensation means.
This visual resource introduces these experiences in clear, reassuring and accessible language. Rather than assuming that every child experiences the same obvious urge to use the toilet, it validates the many different ways poo signals can be experienced. The guide explores signals including pressure, fullness, heaviness, tummy discomfort, bubbling, restlessness and changes in concentration.
Children are also introduced to the idea that body signals can be very quiet and difficult to notice, or very strong and difficult to interpret. This helps move away from assumptions that a child is deliberately ignoring their need to use the toilet and towards curiosity about how their individual interoceptive system communicates.
The guide supports children to understand that they might notice a sensation without knowing exactly what it means, and that learning their body's unique language can take time, curiosity and support. It also reassures children that trusted adults can help them explore what their signals might mean and that trying the toilet can be one way of finding out what their body is communicating.
Everybody poos
How the body sends internal signals
Interoception and recognising the need to poo
Different ways poo signals might feel
Quiet, subtle or delayed body signals
Very strong or overwhelming body signals
Feeling something without knowing what it means
Learning to recognise individual body patterns
Trying the toilet when a body signal might mean poo
Getting support from a trusted adult
Developing curiosity about the body's unique communication
This resource may be particularly helpful for Autistic children, ADHD children and other neurodivergent children with interoceptive differences, as well as children who need additional visual support when learning about toileting and their bodies.
Suitable for use by parents, teachers, SNAs, SEN professionals, occupational therapists and other professionals supporting neurodivergent children with toileting and interoceptive awareness.
A gentle, visual approach to helping children move from “Something feels different” towards gradually recognising “This might be one of my poo signals.”
Digital PDF resource. Ideal for use at home, in school, Autism classes, Early Years settings or alongside individualised toilet learning support.
