Toilet training a child with Sensory Integration Dysfunction
can prove to be frustrating to both parent and child. A child with SID may not feel the urge to
“go” as typical children do. It may take
additional time to toilet train a child with SID and the child may show
readiness signs at an older age than their typically developing peers. It is important that parents realize that
toileting training a child with SID may be frustrating and challenging and
understand that it may also be frustrating and challenging for their child. Here are some toilet training strategies and
tips to assist in toilet training a child with SID:
-Be sure that your child is ready to start toilet
training. Remember, a child with SID may
not be ready at the same age as typically developing peers. Is your child noticing when his/her diaper is
dirty? Does she let you know, either
verbally or by her actions, that she needs to “go”? Is she bothered by dirty diapers?
1-
Plan a fun night to go choose underwear. Allow your child to pick her underwear. Make a big deal about how she is becoming a
big girl and can now wear underwear.
2-
Before actually putting your child on the
toilet, look around the room where the toilet is to determine if there are
things in the room that may hinder your child’s success. If your child gets overwhelmed by clutter,
de-clutter the room. If your child is
bothered by smells, try to mask any odors in the room. If bright lights are an issue, put in lower
watt bulbs, etc.. The idea is to make
the room as friendly as possible for your child.
3-
Create a “Potty Time Basket” for your child that
you will place beside the toilet. Include
things such as books, toilet paper, wipes, reward stickers (or whatever you
choose to be a reward).
4-
You can make toilet training “fun” for your
child by adding food coloring to the toilet and telling your child to see what
color the water changes to after she pees in it. For boys, add “targets” to aim at such as
Cheerios.
5-
If your child is Pee trained, but not trained
for Poop, have her participate in you dumping her poop from her diaper into the
toilet and flushing it down. Tell her
that poop goes in the toilet.
6-
Avoid punishing your child for “accidents”
during the toilet training process. Give
encouragement and praise when she does get to the toilet.
7-
Allow your child to help pick out a potty chair
or seat. Having a potty seat can make
the toilet less intimidating and scary and may decrease fears of falling into
the toilet. Potty chairs can be place
anywhere in the house to make toileting convenient for your child. If your only toilet is on a different floor
than your child typically is, perhaps a potty chair would be right for you.
Occupational Therapists can assist in the toilet training
process by offering advice and strategies, if needed. Parents of children with SDI can use many of
the same strategies for toilet training that they use with their typically
developing children, but it is important to remember that the process may need
to be altered to accommodate for the needs of the child with SDI and that the
process may take much longer than it would with another child. Make the process as stress-free as possible
and allow your child to toilet train at their own pace.
