Potty Training with Physical Challenges

[OMama]

Does anyone have any advice or words of encouragement for me? Finn's doctor's and therapists have suggested that we might start potty training with him and see what happens. For the last month or so we have occasionally sat him on a little potty but nothing happened. Well, today he actually peed twice! He has difficulty with balance and he has low muscle tone. He doesn't walk or really stand independently. I don't want to screw this up, meaning I don't want to push him to do this before he is ready and cause it to backfire. But I do want to encourage him to his fullest and man, it would be great if we were headed in this direction of actually potty training. Until he did this today, I still couldn't even picture it happening. I am encouraged!

Any good books, websites, resources to share? Recs on pottys or potty seats? I am concerned the one we have is a bit unstable for him, but it seemed to work today. And DH does not want me to buy another product if we don't have to. DD potty trained early and relatively easy, so this is all feels very new to me. Thanks!

[MySunflowerBoys]

Sounds like he is making a good start! My 4 1/2 y.o. son has Down syndrome and is potty learning now. He has low tone, and it has taken him awhile to get the feel of his bladder muscles.

My son perfers to pee standing at the toilet like he has seen his brother/dad/other boys at preschool model. Almost a year ago, when I first thought we should try PLing him, I bought a Baby Bijorn potty seat because I liked the size, stability and the way the bowl fits in it. If you go the potty seat route, I think that's one with a good design (I've since seen some knock-off version at WalMart.)

I haven't read any books specific to PLing a SN child, but have read a variety of things about PLing in general. I think patience and allowing the child to learn as he/she is ready seems to be key. Good luck!

[snuggly mama]

Dd is blind and has low muscle tone, and I had no idea how to potty train her! In the end, I'll say that overall it was much like training my older kids, just slower. Dd's low tone and some other issues mean that she has decreased sensation, so we had her wear underpants anytime we were home and could clean up any accidents quickly. She used pull-ups with the "feel wet" liner when we were out and about. We bought a potty seat that had a little bit of a back and sides on it for some extra support and had her use that for a long time. When she did finally start using the toilet, we had a potty seat (one of those foam-cushiony ones) with a handle and a stepstool for her feet. That dang seat went EVERYWHERE with us, literally!

I used some of the basic potty books, especially the ones with sound (important for dd), and the ones written for younger kids since the language was easier, and she spent a lot of time in the bathroom with me trying to figure it all out.

[PikkuMyy]

I'd say go for it. Many typical kids with no physical or cognitive issues require many changes on the potty before they start to go regularly. Depending on how often he goes normally, and how much he's drinking, I would put him on the potty every 45 minutes or so. If you do this over the course of the day, he will have many opportunities to be successful, even though many of the times nothing will happen. But the more chances he gets, the more he'll have to pee when you sit him. And over time, he will start to go more regularly.

[KimPM]

I loved this book:
"Stress Free Potty Training"
http://www.stressfreepottytraining.com/

Lots of good information in there and things to think about, whether for an SN child or not.

The Baby Bjorn potty with the back is helpful with low tone kiddos.

We also got one of these and take it everywhere:
http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-L.../dp/B000K7IF1O
There is no back but it's pretty stable and you can help hold him on there. It's easier than trying to navigate public toilets, and you can use it at a moment's notice if you have somewhere semi-private to set it up.

[MotherWhimsey]

we're no where near even remotely successful here, but I did find a potty that really works for him. He needs a high back and sides on it. I didn't want to get a SN potty seat that you can strap them in cause I wanted him to be as independant as possible with it. So my mom found this hideously tacky throne potty (the top one) and he can stay on it fine. This one is better looking and has the same style. Once we got him used to that we got one that is dipped in the middle but has a low back and a raised front. It's a frog potty. He can get on it with help and doesn't usually fall off but needs help off.

I just want him to feel safe on the pot. I know I couldn't let loose and pee if I thought I'd be falling off any minute. We haven't reached the stage where he wants to spend much time on it but if he does, you can put a strap on the throne potty so he won't fall forward. Linden will put his legs up to keep him from going forward right now, but if he ever wants to try pooping I will maybe strap him in so he doesn't get weak and fall forward.

[OMama]

Thanks all for the great suggestions!

I did come across this in my searching and I was wondering if anyone had experience with it. I looks to me like it is larger bjorn potty, but I can't quite tell. I wish there were dimensions! It seems a bit harder to find too and it is more expensive but I'm thinking about it. DH says that Finn is doing fine on the one we have, but I just worry it is not stable or large enough.

http://www.amazon.com/Bjorn%C2%AE-La...pr_product_top

[PikkuMyy]

Originally Posted by OMama

Thanks all for the great suggestions!

I did come across this in my searching and I was wondering if anyone had experience with it. I looks to me like it is larger bjorn potty, but I can't quite tell. I wish there were dimensions! It seems a bit harder to find too and it is more expensive but I'm thinking about it. DH says that Finn is doing fine on the one we have, but I just worry it is not stable or large enough.

http://www.amazon.com/Bjorn%C2%AE-La...pr_product_top

One of the kids I nanny for has one of these. It is larger and sturdier than the typical potties, and it is much easier for the kids to sit down and get up by themselves. They have the back to hold on to and it provides good support while sitting. Some of the smaller potties can tip over while the kids are trying to get out of them but not this one. I would definitely recommend it.