Student Researchers: Emily Ford, MOTS, Kristin Herron, MOTS, Meagan Welsh, MOTS Faculty: Lea Ann Lowery, MEd, OTR/L University of Missouri, Occupational Therapy Department; Columbia, Missouri Results of Previous Research Preliminary findings include that many children with autism achieve bowel control, but at a delayed rate compared to neurotypical peers. Intelligence is a significant predictor of difficulties in acquisition of bowel control. Behavioral differences in externalizing scales are significant predictors of difficulties in acquisition of bowel control. Other variables examined, such as internalizing behaviors and ASD severity, were not found to negatively influence development of bowel control. Further research is warranted to investigate how the following areas influence the acquisition of bowel control: Specific aspects of externalizing behavior Gastrointestinal symptoms Bladder independence Purpose Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) commonly display a wide variety of characteristics limiting them from fully participating in all areas of typical childhood development. Unfortunately, these deficits can directly affect their ability to independently perform age-appropriate self-care tasks. One functional task that continues to be a struggle for many children with ASD is toileting independently. The purpose of this study is to explore whether or not externalizing behaviors, language development, and GI symptoms affect the development of bowel control in children with ASD. Hypothesis: Behavioral characteristics, language development, GI symptoms, and other externalizing behaviors affect age of toileting acquisition Developmental differences seen in children with an ASD: Delay and atypical development of language Repetitive and stereotyped behaviors Poor social interactions Challenges with adaptive behaviors such as toileting Why toileting independence is important: Leads to independence and social acceptance If toileting independence is not achieved: Negative impact on the child’s personal hygiene Negative impact on the child’s self-confidence Increase stress, time consumption, and cost for families Methods Data from Simons Simplex Collection will be utilized to give insight to each child’s: Demographics Age of toileting independence Externalizing behaviors Attention Distractibility Aggression Language development GI symptoms Simons Simplex Collection Assessment Tools Used Child Behavior Checklist Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test Medical History Independent Variable: Language, gastrointestinal, and behavioral characteristics Dependent Variable: Age at which the child developed toileting independence Exploring behavioral and cognitive variables which influence development of toileting independence in children with autism spectrum disorder. Resources Corbett, E., & Prelock, P. (2006). Language play in children with autism spectrum disorders: Implications for practice. Seminars in Speech and Language, 27(1), Duarte, C.S., Bordin, I.A.S., de Oliveira, A., & Bird, H. (2003). The CBCL and the identification of children with autism and related conditions in Brazil: Pilot findings. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 33(6), Erickson, C., Stigler, K., Corkins, M., Posey, D., Fitzgerald, J., & McDougle, C. (2005). Gastrointestinal factors in autistic disorder: A critical review. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 35(6), Kanne, S., Gerber, A., Quirmbach, L., Sparrow, S., Cicchetti, D., & Saulnier, C. (2010). The role of adaptive behavior in autism spectrum disorders: Implications for functional outcome. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 41(8), Special thanks to previous student researchers Elizabeth Nelson, MOTS, Emily Bradley, MOTS, Liza Woolston, MOTS, and Brooke Beussink, MOTS.