5 Year Old Pooping Pants Daily...HELP!

My 5 yo son has been potty/toilet trained for nearly 3 years. For the past 5 months he has been pooping his pants, a full & complete bowel movement is not uncommon. Many times his pants are wet with potty too.
This happens at home, at school, playing with friends. At first we thought he was too busy playing to take the time. My husband has been working out of town during this time, so I am now attributing it to the change with his daddy being out of town for work.
He just looks at me like he's a deer in headlights and I can tell he's got to go asap....usually it is too late as he's just standing there trying to anticipate when it's going to pop out.
My question is, what approach do I take to get him back on track and using the toilet when he has to go to the bathroom? We've tried rewards, taking things away, talking through things, spending some good quality time together. Please help....how can I help him get back on track. I don't want to be frustrated and make things worse.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

You are right in thinking that it's best if you maintain your equanimity in the face of this. Most encopresis is not rooted in psychological issues. It's important to have him examined by his pediatrician to be sure that his bowels are not compacted. Otherwise, employ a reward system coupled with having him sit on the potty at intervals. Has your son indicated overtly that he is bothered, worried, etc. by his father's absence?