Potty Training - University Place,WA

My question is one of interest, not condemnation in any way. I have over 13 years dealing with developmentally disabled kids and adults so I do ask with the greatest respect.

Is this something he is ready for? Is he mentally ready for this? Often we found that the parents would just be ready but the individual wasn't. Sometimes they are never ready and just have to be changed always.

It would be nice, of course, if he could do this. Are you working with a team that is helping you? Is the school system working towards this too? Does the doc think this is something appropriate for him right now?

All these are questions I would ask you. I know how hard it is to get peed on. It happened to me tonight.

Our boy with sensory issues was having a melt down and I was restraining him a bit, I have described this action in great detail in many of my answers to moms so if you are worried about how I do that you can check out my method on my profile.

Anyway, he was screaming and hitting, kicking, head butting me, clawing, trying to punch everyone, and I was holding him in my lap. He decided to just let go thinking I would put him down. Didn't work. I had to go take a shower after he calmed down and went to go take his. The chair is not fabric so it cleaned up very quickly.

But regardless of this, he is pretty much potty trained during the day.

If your guy is ready then the only thing I can say is be patient, find some reward that he loves that will stimulate him to concentrate on pushing the urine out. If he has control of those muscles he should be able to push something out by trying. Our guy liked jelly beans and would strain himself to get 1 for pee and 2 for pooh.

It may take years to potty train someone with disabilities but once they get it the joy is wonderful. Good luck.

We're still working on this with my globally delayed 4-year-old. I bought a book recommended by an OT we saw at Seatle Children's hospital: "Toilet Training for Individuals with Autism and other Developmental Delays" by Maria Wheeler. There are many ideas of how to help your kiddo trained - using a pciture schedule, social stories, picture cards (for telling you/another adult that he needs to go without using words). I'm cobbling together something that is beginning to take hold with my kiddo from ideas that worked for other families. I ordered the book from Amazon.

Hi.

My son is 4, verbal, but delayed and he is not potty trained. I feel your pain. I often wonder how I will get him potty-trained, I still have some time. I am just giving it a break now. my daughter who just turned 3 and is not delayed does not want to train because bother is still in diapers.

Well, anyways, I know that the regional center(government entity that offers services for autistic, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and developmental disabled children)here in california offers potty training classes. I think you should look into your equivalent regional center there in Washington. I am assuming you are getting services for your son.

You might also try giving your son some sugary drinks and then train him then. My son had some sugary drinks and eliminated in the toilet at the mall. It was just perfect timing. Has it happened since then? No.

I am not sure what I will do to get him trained, just more time, and if I am absolutely exhausted a consultant.
I wish you luck.

Does he go in pullups? Is it just the toilet he is afraid of? Sometimes you can have your child go on the toilet in their pullups or in their underwear if they are comfortable going in those. Then, gradually cut out small pieces of the pull up or underwear. Make the pull up or underwear smaller and smaller until it is eventually not there at all. Sometimes this works.

"The child psychologist who thought she had all the answers to parenting until she became one herself." www.themommypsychologist.com

I found that summer was the best time to potty train boys. Mine both trained in the summer in the backyard. Your process will be harder but any advantage in this area will help. :)