Potty training can be a difficult time for parents as well as children. Having a special-needs child can present additional challenges. Toddlers with Down syndrome may require waiting until a later age than other toddlers for potty training. Your child may have different developmental milestones than other Down syndrome toddlers, so check with your doctor before beginning any kind of new training or routine.
Readiness for Potty Training
Your toddler should have some basic motor skills down before beginning a potty-training routine. The National Down Syndrome Society recommends waiting until at least 3 years of age before starting training. This will ensure that your toddler has the motor skills and cognitive learning habits down to make your training a success.
Familiarize Your Toddler
One of the first steps in any potty-training routine is to familiarize your toddler with what the potty is and how it is used. This is especially necessary for children with Down syndrome, as new objects and routines can cause uneasiness. If you are comfortable with your toddler observing other members of the family using the potty, do so. If not, try to help your toddler understand what the potty is, where it is located and what it's used for.
Establishing a Routine
Establishing a routine is key for getting potty training to "click" with toddlers who have Down syndrome. Create a set routine every time you help your toddler go potty, right down to the last detail. Establish key words for every step of the routine that your toddler can easily identify with and recognize when you call them out.
Make it Fun!
There's nothing more stressful for a toddler than an impatient parent when she is learning something new. This is especially true for Down syndrome toddlers. Be patient with the learning process, as it can take some time and even some accidents to get it down.
Make potty time a fun time for your toddler and help her associate good thoughts with the potty routine. Play a simple game or sing a song while she sits on the potty so it becomes a positive experience.
