children and body exploration

[RJSMOM2405]

My six year old son on a few different occasions in the last 4 or 5 months has messed with his finger in his anus and wiped poop on him self. i have grown children and never witnessed anything like this before. i have heard this could be a sign of sexual abuse and i do not believe this to be the case. i have asked him why he does this and he does not know. i have talked to him about this could hurt him and that it not something he should do. should i seek medical help or counsling for him?

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Many behaviors can result from sexual abuse. More than any particular behavior is the overall pattern of the child's development. The description did not indicate the sort of compulsive, sexualized behavior or fears that would be expected in the wake of sexual abuse. If straightforward limit setting is not effective, it might indicate more of a problem. But it makes sense to approach such things in a simple, fashion without layering them with various possibilities in the absence of evidence to support doing this,

[youdontmind]

Thak you very much.

[youdontmind]

Doctor, I´ve got a question. RJSMOM2405 said that she had heard that this behave it could be because of a sexual abuse. Why did you dismiss that posibility in your answer? I mean, isnt there a indicator of sexual abuse? I want to know which are the indicators of a sexual abuse (some examples) and why that one is not a indicator... Thank you very much.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

If otherwise he is fine there is no need for therapy. The first thing I would do is have him examined by his pediatrician to see if all is well medically. If he is OK from the medical standpoint, I would set a very firm limit on the behavior and discipline him via time out (ten minutes sitting in a chair) if he violates the limit.