Toilet Training Your Child with Special Needs: A Guide for Parents

By Juliet Hawkins, MA LMHC

Toilet training a child with special needs can be difficult. If you are finding the process challenging, you are not alone. Whether your child is a toddler, a teenager, or an adult, this book is meant to address your challenges. The solutions offered are presented in easy-to-understand language. This provides you with a step-by-step guide to make the process manageable. Becoming toilet trained is an important developmental milestone. It can open many doors for you and your child. The vast majority of individuals with special needs can be toilet trained. This is regardless of your child's diagnosis or whether or not he is verbal. No matter where you are on this journey, whether you are just beginning, or whether you have started and are stuck, it is my goal to support you and set you and your child up for success.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 10, 2023
• ISBN: 9798886542530

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Toilet Training Your Child with Special Needs

A Guide for Parents

Juliet Hawkins, MA, LMHC

Copyright © 2023 Juliet Hawkins, MA, LMHC

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING

Conneaut Lake, PA

First originally published by Page Publishing 2023

ISBN 979-8-88654-252-3 (pbk)

ISBN 979-8-88654-253-0 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Introduction

Getting Ready

Keeping Track of Things

Breaking Things Down

To Reward or Not to Reward

There Will Be Accidents

Ready, Set, Go!

Overcoming Obstacles: Getting Unstuck

Some Final Thoughts

APPENDIX A

Sample Toileting Data Sheet #1

APPENDIX B

Sample Toileting Data Sheet #2

APPENDIX C

Parental Self-Evaluation Checklist

About the Author

Introduction

I have been working in the field of developmental disabilities for over thirty years. When I interview parents to determine their needs, toilet training is one of the major ones that they identify.

I believe that almost every child, regardless of his diagnosis or level of functioning, is capable of being taught to use the bathroom. However, every child is unique and, therefore, has his own rate of progress. Progress is rarely a straight line. It is normal for there to be ups and downs.

Teaching your child to use the bathroom independently is a major developmental milestone. You are not merely teaching your child a skill. You are teaching your child responsibility. You are teaching your child how to make choices. You are changing your child's role in the family from one of dependence to one of interdependence. There are unique challenges that you may be facing. Maybe your child doesn't seem to mind that he is wet or soiled. Maybe your child doesn't want to sit on the toilet. Not surprisingly, you may be finding that the old-fashioned, tried-and-true methods that seem to work with typically developing children don't seem to work with your child.

There's a saying that if it ain't broke, then don't fix it. So if you are having success with toilet training your child, then by all means, continue what you are doing. This book is meant for those of you who are facing challenges. You might just be thinking of toilet training your