Potty training
is a normal part of childhood development but a
difficult task at the best of times. Having a child
with numerous developmental delays and sensitivities
makes the task of teaching potty training even more
challenging.
Even though there are no statistics on delayed toilet
training in late talkers or developmentally delayed
children there certainly seems to evidence that
supports the theory that children with delays tend
to be late potty trainers. There are several things
we can do as parents to make the process an easier
one and allow the child to have success.
Even before your child is interested or capable
of starting potty training, introduce him/her to
the potty-chair. Leave it sitting out in the bathroom
so it becomes a familiar sight. Begin by having
your child sit on the potty-chair fully clothed
with a book to look at. Make set times in the day
to have a seat on the potty, perhaps after a meal
or before bedtime as part of the getting ready for
bed routine.
Autistic children tend to be very visual so offering
them visual supports is important. Using picture
symbols going through each step of going to the
potty is helpful. Our son has a booklet that hangs
on the doorknob in the bathroom that breaks down
every step beginning with pulling down his pants
to ending with washing and drying his hands. We
also read books about going to the potty. Some great
ones are Alona Frankel's Once Upon A Potty available
in a boys or girls edition, On Your Potty by Virginia
Miller, and I Can Go Potty by Bonnie Worth featuring
the Muppet Babies. A great video that handles all
aspects of toilet training including not wanting
to leave an activity the child enjoys is The Bear
in the Big Blue House: Potty Time with Bear. It
encourages the child to be independent, not to worry
about leaving diapers behind, and it's OK to have
accidents.
As parents, we have to be patient with our children
and not rush the potty training process. Autistic
children are also battling sensory defensiveness,
which impedes this process. They don't know when
they need to go, when their diaper is full, or how
to release their bowels and bladder when on a potty-chair.
Any new sensation or routine around that sensation
can be frightening to them, as they don't always
understand fully what is going on.
Peer support at New Heights, the preschool our son
attends, has been motivating because he wants to
follow what the other boys are doing. Perhaps an
older sibling can mentor at home. Our own children
seem to be most resistant to us as their parents
in giving them direction. Using a chart at home
can also be a motivator when your child has had
success on the potty. The child can place a sticker
of a character he likes such as Blues Clues or even
numbers counting the number of successes he/she
has had.
There is an agency in Calgary, Alberta called Aids
to Daily Living, which subsidizes diaper costs for
children three and over who are not toilet trained
yet. The agency pays 75% of the cost and you pay
25% up to $500. If your yearly bill exceeds $500,
the cost of diapers is free. They will not cover
children who use diapers just for nighttime. Both
diapers and pull-ups are funded. You can chose which
store you would like to set up an account at. You
fill out the paperwork at their office, which is
located at 320 - 17th. Ave. SW (tel.) 228-7470.
I found this agency to be friendly, supportive,
and helpful. You may be able to find such an agency
in your own town or city that will support the extended
costs of having a child who is a late toilet trainer
due to a disability.
A great deal of encouragement and praise goes a
long with children so give a round of applause and
a hug for any attempt made. Each child has their
own personal clock and like all of their other skills
that they develop, potty training will come in time
too. |
