Behavioral Treatment of Bedwetting in an Adolescent with Autism

Abstract

Bedwetting (also referred to as nocturnal enuresis) is a common and distressing problem in the pediatric population. It is particularly prevalent in children who have autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disabilities. Despite the fact that bedwetting occurs at high rates and has a negative impact on quality of life, there have been relatively little research on behaviorally-based interventions for nighttime incontinence in children diagnosed with autism and related disorders. This case study involved an evaluation of the effects of a behavioral intervention for bedwetting in a 12-year-old girl with autism and fetal alcohol syndrome. The treatment protocol involved having her wear a urine alarm at night and rewarding morning dryness with praise and preferred tangibles. The intervention produced noticeable reductions in bedwetting within 2 weeks and within 3 weeks of treatment bedwetting was no longer occurring. Effects of the treatment generalized to another setting and were maintained 9 months post-treatment.