Toilet training and disability, As occupational therapists, we have often walked alongside caregivers to support children of all abilities in learning about going to the toilet. We extend our gratitude to every family we have worked with, as they have taught us so much.
Often children with a disability (e.g. autism, global developmental delay, Down syndrome) may show signs of being ready when they are a bit older (click here to read more about being ready signs) and may take longer to master all the steps.
Some things we often think about are:
Communication Challenges:
- Some disabilities may affect your child’s ability to communicate their need to go to the toilet or understand the words used to describe the toilet steps. We include with our package a personalized visual sequence that visually demonstrates the steps your child is trying to complete along with the words you speak. Consult a speech pathologist for the best advice to support your child’s communication needs on their toilet training journey.
Sensory Considerations:
- The sensory qualities of the toileting experience may cause some children to feel uncertain about using the toilet. Factors like the temperature of the toilet seat, the echo in the toilet room, or smells can also impact how a child feels about toilet learning. In our beautiful toilet book, we mention some of these sensory elements to help make it a predictable experience.
Physical Abilities:
- We often observe children with a range of physical abilities. This might contribute to difficulties with some of the physical elements such as pulling pants up/down or climbing onto the toilet. Be sure to stay close and provide the extra support as needed.
Our products were designed to help guide you as parents and are perfect for helping you get started, especially if you are on a waitlist for therapists. They were also created to use alongside a program developed by a healthcare professional working with you.
