Tips for Families

It can be possible to toilet train your child with special needs. It will take time and patience to achieve consistent results, but can offer a child a sense of accomplishment that can help with his/her self-esteem.

Signs of readiness for toilet training are the same for all children:

• Is your child aware of the difference between being wet and being dry?

• Can he stay dry for at least two hours at a time?

• Can he sense when he needs to urinate or have a bowel movement?

• Is he capable of reaching the toilet or potty in time (perhaps with your help)?

• Can he undress and dress himself or is he ready to learn?

• Is he motivated at some level to take this next step?

How to start the process of toilet training:

-Seek Advice from a health professional. Rule out any issues with diarrhea, constipation, urinary tract infections, or bowel obstructions. Collaborate with a PT or OT to help determine appropriate set up and positioning needs, use of a visual schedule or specific cues to help with training.

-Consider daily diet and fluid intake. It is common for children with special needs to have bouts of constipation or difficult bowel movements. Low muscle tone can also make it challenging to void completely. Encourage high fiber to help with constipation. Set regular meal times to help with a toileting schedule.

-Modify the toilet or bathroom as needed. A child may need something as simple as a a ring insert or footstool or something more supportive like an adaptive toilet seat to be successful with toileting. A quiet environment, away from distractions, can be helpful to help with voiding.

-Set Daily Toilet Time Routines. Successful toileting includes: staying dry between toileting sessions and successful voiding on the toilet. Establishing a routine will help to encourage success. Some routines include toileting every 30-60 minutes and others establish regular toilet times throughout the day. Both types can be successful but which one you chose depends on your child. Use a Toilet Record Chart to document attempts and successes.

-Use clear communication cues. Can work with speech therapist or behavioral specialists to help determine the best method of communication and how to identify body language as it applies to toilet training.

-Manage Wetting and soiling as positive teaching moment. “If wetting and soiling does occur, then always move to the bathroom and include a toilet sitting time as part of any clean up routines. Keep your interactions calm and neutral; there is no praise or rewards at these times, but avoid any reprimands or punishment. Instead, view this as a positive teaching opportunity to practice the usual toileting routine with your child.” Watch at 6:07 in this video . Continence Foundation of Australia. (September 22, 2016.) Toileting Tips for Children and Young People with a Developmental Disability. [Video].

-Be consistent. The more consistent the better; especially between caregivers. Repetition of the task using familiar equipment, cues, and techniques will help foster success.

-Allow Time. Children may need up to 15 minutes for proper voiding on a safe and supportive toilet set up. If they can tolerate prolonged sitting, they may need it. Goals need to be realistic and toilet training for children with special needs can take months to years to develop continence.

For more info: https://www.rifton.com/adaptive-mobility-blog/blog-posts/2020/may/toileting-concepts-special-needs-child

Modifications to the environment to set up for success with toilet training: