Toileting and Toilet Hygiene

Toileting and Toilet Hygiene means knowing when to go to the bathroom, emptying our bladders and bowels, cleaning up afterward, and managing clothing. What an important occupation!

Below you will see groups of behaviors that describe specific patterns of sensory processing. As you read through these lists, make note of any that stick out to you or seem to be descriptive of your child. Click on any group for more information about that particular pattern of sensory processing. Children can display different patterns at different times, so make sure to click on all that apply.

Over-Responsive

My child appears...

averse to harsh bathroom lighting, picky about cleanliness, or avoidant of certain commodes
intolerant of bathroom fans, hand dryers, buzzing of lights, echoing, or ambient noise
overwhelmed by sitting on the commode, avoidant of certain toilet tissues, washing hands, or drying hands; to require a very specific water temperature
intolerant of restroom odors or may require time to allow unpleasant odors to dissipate
rigid in movements or resistant to movement
to easily get nausea, dizziness, or headache with too much movement
to feel urgency when needing to use the bathroom

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Under-Responsive

My child appears...

inattentive to soiled linens or restroom cleanliness; to frequently misjudge the distance to the commode or has poor aim
unaware of soiled or wet clothing touching skin, haphazard with thoroughly cleaning bottom
clumsy or floppy, unaware of his or her body in space, or to struggle to maintain position and posture
unaware of or unphased by excess movement
not to recognize the body's signals alerting to the need to use the restroom

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Seeking/Craving

My child appears...

to repeatedly and compulsively flush the toilet or intent on watching the contents go down the drain
fascinated by running water or continually activating the bathroom fan or hand dryer
to need to touch or smear waste products after elimination, splash hands in the commode or sink, unravel toilet paper, stuff toilet with paper or other items, use excessively hot or cold water while washing hands, use too much soap, or splash and play in sink while washing
to crave odors, good or bad
to hang on towel bars or open and close cabinets with excessive force
to use excessive movements during task
to push too hard to have a bowel movement

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Discrimination Disorder

My child appears...

to frequently enter the wrong public restroom if gender specific or misjudge distance to commode
unable to discern direction, volume, pitch, or quality of sound
to struggle to distinguish between hot or cold water, smooth or rough textures, or light or firm pressure when cleaning self
uncertain of body position or relationship between body parts, especially when eyes are closed
uncertain of head position, upright position, speed of movements
uncertain of the body's signals alerting to the need to use the restroom

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Postural Disorder

My child appears...

lazy or lethargic
to struggle to maintain position standing or sitting to use restroom
to be easily fatigued by everyday tasks

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Dyspraxia

My child appears...

unaware of how to plan toileting tasks
uncertain of how to correctly sequence steps (i.e. may completely remove clothing then put pants on before undergarments)
to struggle to complete steps in order even if he or she demonstrates understanding of the correct order

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