Potty Training with Sensory Disorders and Developmental Delays
Potty training came easy with my daughter. I had friends give me great advice to me as a first time mom. She potty trained around age 2 1/2 with no problems at all.
Then years later as I was getting ready to potty train my son I thought things would be close to the same as the first time. Not so much. Caleb took to potty training in the beginning by peeing in the potty. We were doing great until I lost my job, had to move and then a new baby arrived.
I tried potty training multiple times with Caleb and I got so frustrated. Then I met Janice Strawbridge. She knew I was at my wits end and very pressured to get him potty trained. I wanted to get Caleb potty trained so he could be accepted into Head Start Pre-K. He was getting close to his fourth birthday. I took Janice’s advice by letting Caleb take his favorite stuffed animal ( A big Blue’s Clues) with him to the potty. In one weekend I got him potty trained. It wasn’t just because of the toy that I got him potty trained. I had to take a break from potty training for about a week, prepare myself and then work on it when I felt ready.
I found out shortly after Caleb started in Pre-K that he was developmentally behind for his age. His speech and motor skills were affected greatly leaving him behind from his peers. Two years later a behavioral specialist working with Caleb determined he has some sensory disorders. I spent some time researching Sensory Integration Disorders and found that it fit Caleb to a T. Yet teachers wanted to suggest he has ADD. Caleb has ups and downs like a roller coaster yet he maintains great grades. He gets overstimulated whether it’s kids rough housing around him, flourescent lights aggitating him, smells or clothes irritating him.
I think of my nephew whom the doctors have suggested is midly Autistic. Even at age 6 he can barely talk though he can walk and was potty trained at age 4.
Potty training children with developmental delays can be more challenging. However, if a parent is willing to dedicated a couple of days just to potty training they can make a difference. Consistency is key with potty training. The more repetitious you are the more likely you will be successful in potty training your child.
Setbacks are common whether a child is average or with developmental delays. Learning to deal with them with a positive attitude is important. Write down what a child enjoys whether it is playing with a favorite toy, watching a movie, stickers, candy or even a popsicle. Encouraging a child to keep going even when they are frustrated is important in this learning process. If you, the parent is frustrated this will get passed on to the child leading to resistance. Take a break if you are frustrated, getting angry or aggitated. Refresh yourself by preparing for potty training.
For a child who is developmentally delayed it may take longer for potty training. Be consistent and always praising for efforts made. If you choose to have help be sure to keep it on the same schedule. And once you switch from diapers to underwear stick with it since children with developmental delays can become confused. Have them help you clean any accidents up to help discourage future accidents.
To learn more about potty training visit our website Pottytrainingsite.com and sign up for our seven week series filled with tips and stories. Or you can purchase our e-book that includes unlimited email support.
Also, for a limited time, the first 25 parents to purchase our e-book will receive a Free T-Shirt for their boy or girl. This is limited to the US only. Once you have made the purchase just email me Here and include your mailing adress if your child is a boy or girl and what size shirt they wear. Offer expires once 25 parents have purchased the e-book or August 31,2009 whichever comes first.