Toilet Training & Sensory Integration Disorder
Sensory Integration Disorder, also known as Sensory Processing Disorder, is a condition that can make toilet training very difficult. A child with this condition cannot sense when he has to go to the bathroom, and therefore, accidents are common, and potty training is a challenge. Children who have mild forms of the disorder can be potty trained by patient parents who are willing to try various and different methods. Kids with more severe forms of the disorder may need occupational therapy to help them manage childhood tasks like toilet training.
Sensory Integration Disorder
According to the Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation, a child with sensory integration disorder (SID) finds it difficult to process and act upon information received through the senses. The Foundation estimates 1 in 20 children experience symptoms of SID that are significant enough to affect their ability to participate fully in life. A child with SID might have a sensitivity to sensation and find such things as physical contact, light or sound unbearable. Others might have little reaction to sensation. Those children who have impaired reaction are the ones who will have trouble with toilet training. If there are signs a child has SID, it is a good idea to take him to the pediatrician to make sure he doesn't need professional therapy to help him strengthen his reactions to sensory input. Occupational therapy for children with impaired reaction to sensation takes place in a sensory-rich environment that stimulates the child and helps him to react to sensation in a meaningful way.
SID and Toilet Training
Most children with SID are as intelligent as other children their age. Their brains simply process information differently. Parents must teach them in ways that are suited to how their brains work. Traditional methods of potty training will not work with SID kids. The sensory information that goes to the spinal cord and the brain, and to the bowels and bladder is not as strong as in kids without SID. Thus, a child with SID does not know when she has to go to the bathroom, because she does not feel that the bladder or bowel is full.
Readiness for Toilet Training in SID Children
Toilet training usually occurs when a child is anywhere from 18 to 36 months old. But for a child with SID, his chronological age is far less important than his physiological and psychological readiness for potty training. According to the Sensory Processing Disorder Newsletter, an SID child is ready for potty training when he can stay dry for at least two hours at a time, including during naps; he can recognize that he is voiding or eliminating (you can tell this by the look on his face, his posture, he may go to a special place, he may say something); he notices or is distressed by a dirty diaper; he has a willingness to sit on the toilet and has no fear about getting on the toilet; he can pull down his pants by himself; he can follow simple commands; he is asking to have his wet diaper changed or is asking to use the toilet; he is having regular bowel movements.
Pre-Toilet Training
A SID child can be potty trained, but the parent must be patient and wait until the child is ready. Even then, the process may be frustrating and will take some time. A parent should always go at the SID child's pace, staying patient and giving the child lots of positive reinforcement. When the child shows signs of readiness, the parent can begin a 3 month preparation for toilet training. During this preparation phase, the parent should shop with the child for a special potty chair. Once the chair is bought, child can decorate the chair with stickers. Parent and child can also watch videos and read books about potty training. The same-sex parent should show the child use the bathroom. Parents should also make comments that relate to sensation when the child goes to the bathroom in his diaper. Questions and comments should be along the lines of: "Can you feel that?" "What does it feel like when you go potty?" "Does your body/belly feel better now that you have peed/pooped?" "Let me know when you want to sit on your potty chair."
Toilet Training for the SID Child
After the 3-month preparation phase, a parent can try toilet training the SID child. The parent should not toilet train during a period of high stress, such as during a move, the start of pre-school, a new baby in the family, or introduction to new day care.
If the child still doesn't seem to notice when he needs to go to the bathroom, the parent should put him on a schedule. For example, a reasonable schedule might be when he wakes up in the morning, 2 and 1/2 hours after a drink, after a nap and before a bath. Parents should talk to their child about sensations she feels around going to the bathroom. Explain why she has these sensations or why it is harder for her to feel sensations. Talk to her in an age appropriate way about how the body works.
Parents must remember to stay patient, be consistent, give lots of praise and never pressure the child. If toilet training can't be accomplished, occupational therapy may be necessary.
Tags: child with, parent should, potty training, Sensory Integration Disorder, Integration Disorder, Processing Disorder, Sensory Integration