• Skip to content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Shop ModernMom
  • Become An Insider

ModernMom

The premiere destination for moms

  • Parenting
    • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Kids
    • Tweens and Teens
    • ModernMom Monday Videos
  • Cooking
  • Living Healthy
    • Breast Cancer
    • Health & Fitness
    • Body after Baby
    • Beauty
    • Relationships
    • Love
  • Lifestyle
    • Crafts
    • At Home
    • Education
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Decorate
    • Money
    • Brooke Burke
  • Celebrate
    • Holidays
      • Easter
      • Valentine’s Day
      • New Year’s
      • Christmas
      • Hanukah
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
    • Birthdays
    • Parties
  • Must Have
  • Contests
  • Entertainment

How to Toilet Train a Child With Sensory Issues

December 10, 2010 by ds_5462 Leave a Comment

Potty training a child, who has sensory issues, can leave you feeling defeated and alone. Watching your friends’ kids beam with pride as they successfully transition from diapers to big boy underwear can be disheartening. Though it may take additional time, and you may have to try some new ideas, you can do several things to help your sensory challenged child join his peers in the “I have to go potty” club.

Step 1

Wait until he is ready. Children with sensory issues often take longer to reach childhood milestones than their peers without this problem. Your child should be physically and psychologically able to understand the concept of going in the commode before you begin training. An interest in the toilet or what peers are doing in the restroom are indicators of your child’s readiness to toilet train.

Step 2

Spend three months in potty preparation. Sudden changes can upset a child with sensory issues. Taking time to introduce the concept is key to success. Take your child to the store to pick out a potty chair. Have your child decorate it with stickers and then leave the potty chair out in the open where the child can get used to its presence.

Step 3

Show books and videos to your child detailing the steps in potty training. This will help your child process and conceptualize the concept of potty training. Fill a basket with rewards founded in your child’s sensory issues. Some soft wipes, aromatherapy spray and a CD with soft classical music turns the basket into a tool for success.

Step 4

Empty his diaper into the toilet and have the child decide who will flush it. Children with sensory issues are often fearful of the urine or poop leaving their body. Emptying the diaper into the toilet shows them what is expected. Allowing them to decide who flushes gives them a measure of control over the process, thereby, reducing their stress about the process.

Step 5

Try a schedule. A hallmark sign of sensory issues is the child’s inability to recognize she has to go potty. A schedule every two hours and 20 to 30 minutes after drinking something will let your child begin recognizing the feeling just before going. She will start connecting the feeling with getting to the potty in the future.

Comments

comments

Filed Under: Parenting

About ds_5462

Candace Webb has been writing professionally since 1989. She has worked as a full-time journalist as well as contributed to metropolitan newspapers including the "Tennessean." She has also worked on staff as an associate editor at the "Nashville Parent" magazine. Webb holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism with a minor in business from San Jose State University.

Reader Interactions

Primary Sidebar

Search

Tell a friend

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
ModernMom Boutique

ModernMom TV

Featured

20 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Had Kids

After seeing and holding the newest member of our family … [Read More...] about 20 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Had Kids

Must Have

STEM-related Toys to Include in Your Child’s Easter Basket This Year 

April has arrived which means it’s time to pull out the food … [Read More...] about STEM-related Toys to Include in Your Child’s Easter Basket This Year 

Did you know?

How to Break Your Water at Home When Pregnant

How to Break Your Water at Home When Pregnant

How Many Calories Does 10,000 Steps Burn

How Many Calories Does 10,000 Steps Burn?

Juice Vs. Concentrate

Juice Vs. Concentrate

Freeze Cooked & Smoked Ham

How to Freeze Cooked & Smoked Ham

Can I Use Baking Powder to Thicken Sauce

Can I Use Baking Powder to Thicken Sauce?

How Does IVF Work

How Does IVF Work?

How Early Can an Ultrasound Detect a Fetus?

How Early Can an Ultrasound Detect a Fetus?

Footer

  • About Us
  • Contact ModernMom
  • Advertise With Us
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contributors

Copyright © 2022 Modern Mom. All Rights Reserved.

Reproduction of any portion of this website only at the express permission of Mom, Inc.

The information provided on ModernMom is for educational use only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.