toddler playing with poop constantly. Sign of Autism?

My son is 26 months old and starting playing with his poop recently. Sometimes more than once a day, but always daily. He smears it on my walls, the floors, pretty much anything he can reach.

I am at my wits end. We have tried everything. We went back to diapers during naptime instead of pull ups and put them on backwards but he still gets out of them. Footed pjs backwards doesn't work. He can undo the snaps on onesies as well.

I've heard fecal smearing can be a sign of Autism. My husband doesn't want to hear about it when I bring it up because he doesn't want to believe our child could have a more serious issue. His pedi says its normal, but I don't know how much more poop cleaning I can take!!

It's always at nap time or bed time, or if I have to go do something that would take my attention off of him for more than 2 minutes. I just don't know what to do anymore.

Anyone have any other suggestions? I have also tried cold baths/showers, which I hated doing. I read it SHOULD discourage him and I shouldn't have to do that to him more than a couple times, but I've done it more than 4 times and he still plays with his poop.

If he doesn't stop this before my next child is here I don't know what I'm going to do.

Will he not poop on the potty?

is he verbal? does he have any other signs? I dont think just poop smearing is a sign of autism.

If he doesn't have any other signs, I wouldn't jump straight to autism. It's probably just a phase.. albeit a really messy and not fun one. Have you tried taking away a privilege or a special toy when he does this?

Have you tried duct taping an outfit on him?

Quoting Mrs. Weasley:" Will he not poop on the potty?"

he has pooped on the potty 2 or 3 times since we started potty training.

He is verbal, but not as verbal as I think he should be. He still "growls" when he's frustrated when we don't understand what he wants.

I've had to throw away toys covered in poop because I couldn't get them clean, but as far as taking away privileges, I don't know what I would take away. And he doesn't have any special toys he really likes.

Quoting Stroller/carseat lady:" It is my opinion that it is a little neglectful and inattentive to allow your toddler to play with poop. ... [snip!] ... play with poop. Do you not attend to your child when he is awake? How is he getting the opportunity to smear poop on the walls?"

That was very rude 

I was honestly in your EXACT stituation.  

My boys were 27 months apart (my second one was even due in Decemeber with my second lol) and my son was smearing daily. He even ate it a few times. My older son was diagnosised with autism, but he had many other symptoms.

The poop smearing for him was a sensory thing. Playing with playdough helped a bit. We did do the luke warm baths (before his diagnosis) and I always felt like crap, but I was so desperate. He didn't understand enough for taking things away or other punishments.

If he has other signs, I would get him evaluated ASAP, but hopefully it's just a phase.

Quoting Stroller/carseat lady:" It is my opinion that it is a little neglectful and inattentive to allow your toddler to play with poop. ... [snip!] ... play with poop. Do you not attend to your child when he is awake? How is he getting the opportunity to smear poop on the walls?"

If you read my post I said he was doing it at bedtime and nap time... He does have walls in his room

Quoting maggymay232002:" That was very rude "

Well I think it might be a good idea to use a baby monitor and attend to the 2 year old when he wakes up from his naps, rather than ignoring him and allowing him to play with his poop.

Quoting Stroller/carseat lady:" Well I think it might be a good idea to use a baby monitor and attend to the 2 year old when he wakes up from his naps, rather than ignoring him and allowing him to play with his poop. "

WTH is your problem?

Quoting Stroller/carseat lady:" Well I think it might be a good idea to use a baby monitor and attend to the 2 year old when he wakes up from his naps, rather than ignoring him and allowing him to play with his poop. "

Yeah, I ignore my 2 year old. WTH is your problem?

Quoting Stroller/carseat lady:" Well I think it might be a good idea to use a baby monitor and attend to the 2 year old when he wakes up from his naps, rather than ignoring him and allowing him to play with his poop. "

You are so ignorant it makes my head hurt.

Do you know ANYTHING about special needs? Autism in particular? I suppose she also shouldn't sleep so that she can watch him in the event he wakes up and does it.

Seriously, the ignorance of morons like you astounds me.

Quoting Mommy of a giggler!:" You are so ignorant it makes my head hurt. Do you know ANYTHING about special needs? Autism in particular? ... [snip!] ... sleep so that she can watch him in the event he wakes up and does it. Seriously, the ignorance of morons like you astounds me."

According to her other posts she acts like a complete bitch most of the time

Maybe I should just sleep at his bedside too. That sounds like a perfectly good solution!!!