Bedwetting is often due to a delay in children’s physical development – that is, his body has just not developed to a point where he is able to wake-up in response to a full bladder. This is not uncommon and occurs more frequently among boys than girls – with about 1 in 10 boys continuing to wet the bed at age 7. There is however growing evidence that many (but not all) children with Aspergers are sensitive to certain foods, the most common of which are grains and dairy products. Food sensitivities are believed to be responsible for numerous physical and behavioral problems, including bedwetting, sleeping problems, hyperactivity, or fatigue. If you think your grandson reacts physically to some foods, then identifying these will be extremely helpful. Through using a food journal and observing him closely, you may be able to determine whether his bedwetting is linked to particular foods. I am familiar with a few cases where children’s bedwetting reduced dramatically after dairy was eliminated from their diet. While this will not be the solution for all children it may be worth discussing the possibility with his GP. Children with Aspergers also demonstrate behaviours characteristic of Attention Deficit Disorder. Children with ADD are also more likely to experience bedwetting and sleep problems and have difficulty waking up to go to the bathroom when their bladder is full. Bedwetting can be a particularly sensitive issue for children who experience difficulties in other areas of their life so it is very important that you offer lots of praise and encouragement and reassure him (and his mum!) that this is something he will outgrow.

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