my 8 yr old sons odd toileting behavior

my son has on occasion has demonstated a odd facination with his feces. we have discovered feces smeared on furniture and carpeting, also toilet paper hidden in waste paper basket in bedroom and under bed. this event does not happen often but when confronted with this behavior he tries to cover with lies and wild excuses. this has happened several times in the last two years and we cannot connect this behavior with any family event that might insite this behavior. our question is whether this event is worthy of psychiatric evaluation or do 8 year olds pass through this odd behavior.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Dear Mitch,

Such behavior wouldn't be regarded as within the normal spectrum for a child of eight years. It would be sensible to have an evaluation, though you needn't be alarmed if he is doing well in the major domains of his life - family relationships, school, peer relations. As with any unusual symptom, it's important to try to learn what the meaning or usefulness of the symptom is to the child, and the evaluation might help sort that out.