Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are a common source of distress in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but the relationship between GI symptoms and autism-related behavior is unclear. Clinical experience suggested to Brittany Peters, M.D., Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele, M.D., and colleagues that rigid-compulsive behaviors are associated with severe constipation and co-occurring diarrhea or underwear staining in children with ASD.
Using data from the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network, the investigators evaluated the association of these GI symptoms with measures of rigid-compulsive behavior in children ages 2 to 17. They found that four of five primary measures of rigid-compulsive behavior were strongly associated with constipation and diarrhea/underwear staining.
