Question: Thank you. Ipray you can help. My 5 year old grandson cannot respond to urges to go to the bathroom. I know this is not normal and paid close attention to his behavior this weekend. He just does not seem to have physically sense the urge. Ex: This afternoon we were ready to play a game and I instructed him to go to the bathroom first. He did and immediately had to return...then immediately had a bowel movement. Being his grandmother and a retired Kg teacher I am keenly aware between refusal and being unaware. He gets very upset and today said he did not want to live anymore. He explains repeatedly he does not know when to go. This has resulted in my son and hiswife (parents) having no patience, accepting no excuses, and even worse my grandson complies yes in to all the questioning he endures simply because it's what his parents expect....he fears their wrath and this issue is only getting worse. I fear his emotional health. His parents get angry if I try to tell them. Please, any advice that will help him will be greatly appreciated

Could there possibly be a physical developmental problem causing this?
All of your helful suggestions have been tried and they motivate my grandson but he continues having "accidents" He told me today he didn't want to live anymore. I forgot to mention he is spanked for these accidents. I am about to loose my mind. Thank you again