Even under ideal circumstances, potty-training can be a daunting task for parents to undertake. For children with developmental delays, the challenge of potty training is even more difficult. Developmental delays can range dramatically in their scope and severity. While some children outgrow a mild delay with little or no specialized care, others may require lifelong assistance with day-to-day tasks. For this reason, it is important to discuss your child's special needs with one or more qualified experts to determine the level of individualized care he may need to overcome potty-training obstacles.
Step 1
Watch your child for signs that she is ready to begin potty training. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, or AAP, most children with developmental delays can still be potty trained, although it may take them much longer to reach a point of readiness. Your child is ready to begin potty training when she can pull her pants down and understand basic verbal communication.
Step 2
Consult your child's health care provider regarding your child's readiness for potty training. A pediatrician and a therapist can explain some of the difficulties you may encounter when potty training your special-needs child. Your child's physical, behavioral or speech therapist may provide specialized forms of therapy to prepare your child for this important milestone toward independence.
Step 3
Check your child's diaper at regular intervals, roughly every hour. Without embarrassing or scolding your child, observe that the diaper is "wet", then smile and cheer when you replace it with a dry diaper. If your child struggles to understand verbal communication, the AAP recommends the use of signs and gestures to indicate bathroom-related terms like "wet," "poopy," and "potty."
Step 4
Set your child on the potty regularly, particularly when his posture or facial expressions indicate that he feels a need to relieve himself. Cheer and praise him when he sits on the potty; he will associate it with pride and achievement. Let him sit on the potty for at least five to ten minutes, taking care to ensure his comfort and emotional security during this time.
Step 5
Reward and praise your child when she does use the potty. Offer her applause and a hug. The AAP also recommends food rewards, such as a small piece of candy, to developmentally-delayed children who struggle with potty training. Enthusiastically observe, "You went pee-pee!" to demonstrate your pride in this accomplishment.
Step 6
Flush the waste down the toilet and wash your child's hands. Continue allowing him ready access to the potty until he masters the process. Understand that it may take a year or longer to potty train a child with significant developmental delays.
Step 7
Explain your child's challenges and successes to his other caregivers. According to the University of Michigan Health System, a developmentally-delayed child should be receiving help from an early intervention or special education program. The employees of these organizations should encourage your child's progress and facilitate his access to a bathroom when he is under their care.
Tips and Warnings
- Children with severe developmental disabilities may never be capable of using the bathroom with no assistance.
Things You'll Need
- Diapers
- Child-size potty
- Children's underwear
