Children with special needs may take longer to reach certain developmental milestones. These developmental delays may mean that it will take longer to potty train a special needs child, yet every child is different. There is no reason why children with special needs cannot be potty trained just as well as those without. You can help your child with special needs to become potty trained by using encouragement and patience.
Pick a Potty Chair
The Gifted Learning Project, a website which focuses on the health of special needs children, advises encouraging special needs children to go to the toilet on their own by providing them with the necessary tools. Go to the store with your child, and allow him to help pick a special potty chair for him to use every time he tries going to the bathroom on his own. He may choose one that is his favorite color or even one with a cartoon character that he loves. Either way, the act of allowing your special needs child to pick out his own potty chair encourages him to use it more often. If your special needs child cannot sit down in a small potty chair, you can talk to your doctor about medical alternatives.
Use Encouraging Words
Another tip for potty training children with special needs is to use the right words that will encourage and not embarrass her. The Gifted Learning Project states that you have to be careful about not using words that seem crude or embarrassing around a special needs child. Inside, explain to her the body parts with simple words that she will feel most comfortable with. Every time she tries going to the bathroom on her own, congratulate her, and tell her how proud of her you are. Yet when she needs to use her diaper, don't get upset with her or yell at her. Simply say something like, "Next time, we'll try the potty." Remember, this process will take time, and your child--like any other child--will have accidents.
Schedule Potty Time
The Mayo Clinic recommends scheduling regular potty breaks throughout the day when you take your child to sit on the potty, whether he says he has to go or not. Don't force him to try to pee or have a bowel movement, but allow him to sit on the potty and see if he has to go. Continually bringing your special needs child to the potty will help to remind him where the potty is and how to use it for when he really does have to go.
Talk with Caregivers
One of the most essential elements in successful potty training is having the support of family and friends. If your special needs child is in daycare but they let her use diapers all day long, it will be much harder to potty train her at home. The Mayo Clinic recommends speaking with your family, daycare providers and anyone else who sometimes takes care of your special needs child. That way they will understand and support the fact that she is going through the potty training time right now.
