If you have a child with Down syndrome, eventually the issue of toilet
training will arise. So how can you help your Down syndrome child learn
this essential step toward independence more quickly and easily?
Many
mom's have shared with me the frustration of repeated failures and
attempts over a long period of time to teach their Down syndrome child
how to effectively and consistently use the toilet. Your child may soon
be entering preschool and you may worry what will happen. But do not
despair! Here are solutions and suggestions that have worked for many
other moms in your same shoes.
First of all, relax and realize
that it is only a matter of time before you can say goodbye to those
diapers once and for all. Your child with Down syndrome will eventually
master the task. Try not to rush your son or daughter. He will leave
those diapers behind when he is ready...so have patience.
Seven Tips To Help With Toilet Training
- Know your child's schedule.
Keep a log of your child's voiding activities. Check his diaper every
15-minutes or so to see what he is doing (bowl movement, urine) and
when. Keep this log for a few days and eventually you will notice a
pattern -- most children's bodies follow a fairly consistent pattern.
And this pattern can help you plan and schedule toilet times for your
child in anticipation of his or her pattern.
- Draw a Picture.
Down syndrome children are often visual learners. Work with your child
to draw with crayons a picture of the toilet. Tape a picture to the
bathroom door and also have a picture that you can hold up to your child
when you are ready for a bathroom break.
- Make sure he needs to go.
Increase the likelihood that your child is ready when you are for a
toilet training session. In anticipation of your child's voiding needs,
give your child something to drink 15 minutes before you plan on a
bathroom lesson. Tell your child that he will soon be using the toilet
and monitor him or her to get a sense of when he needs to go. It is
often useful to hold up the sign of the toilet that your child drew to
visually remind and help your son or daughter understand that it is soon
"toilet time."
- Make it fun! Kids are
kids, whether they have Down syndrome or not. Remember that your loved
one is a sweat heart and an adorable little child. Kids want to have fun
and play...so make potty time fun too! Have your child's favorite
books...perhaps a coloring book...available during his or her time in
the bathroom. It's not only adults who use the bathroom as a library.
- Keep it short.
Kids do not want to spend all day on the toilet. So keep it short and
simple. If your child has not "finished his duty" within 5 or so
minutes, leave. Come back later. Don't force your child to sit on the
toilet all day waiting. If you make this common mistake, your child will
begin to associate the toilet with an unpleasant experience and this
may cause a delay in successful toilet training.
- Praise and reward your child.
Let's face it, we all respond to positive reinforcement. We all like to
be praised and acknowledged for a job well done. If your child is
successful in his toilet duties, make a big deal of it. Provide lots of
praise. Perhaps a healthy food treat will work. Many kids love stickers
(dinosaurs for boys or ballerinas for girls) often work well. My
children loved to have stickers placed on the back of their hands or on
their shirts. They would wear them as a badge of pride. A loving
squeeze, hug or high five works wonders too!
- Be Patient.
Down syndrome children not only are delayed mentally, but most have
challenges with muscle tone and muscle control. These issues make it
almost certain that your loved one will reach the toilet training finish
line more slowly than the average child of his same age.
Remember,
your Down syndrome child will eventually get the hang of it so enjoy
these wonderful childhood years and provide patient, loving support as
your child learns this important toilet training lesson as well as other
lessons for which you will need to prepare.
And to ensure your Down syndrome child stays healthy and happy, download
the free guide "12 Tips for New Moms of Down Syndrome Babies" and sign up for
the free newsletter at
www.downsyndromehope.com.
And to ensure your Down syndrome child thrives and you enjoy a
wonderful loving relationship with your Down syndrome loved one, read my
book, How to Live, Love and Succeed with Down Syndrome.
