Potty training

[Guest guest]

The Potty training book recommended by Dr. Carbone is written by Dr.

Foxx and is called " Toilet Training Persons with Developmental Disabilities:

A Rapid Program for Day and Nighttime Independent Toileting "

The cost is $13.95 plus $4.00 shipping

You can order at (217) 352-3273

or by writing to Research Press at

Dept.126

PO Box 9177

Champaign, IL 61826

[Guest guest]

My 5 yo daughter, has been semi-potty trained for 6 months.We used the rapid

potty training method. She will stay dry at school as long as she is on a

schedule, she can hold it for a while, At home she will stay dry if we are on

the schedule if something comes up she will wet her pants, and she almost

always has a BM in her pants, even being on a schedule.

She also still needs to be verbal prompted to flush and wipe. She is

nonverbal, and has a few signs, she can and has used the sign for toilet, but

not consistent and is only used if I ask her if she has to potty. She will

not initiate or go on her own. Recently i tried a schedule board that broke

down all the steps and at the end a reward. One of her favorite things to do

is to look at picture albulms, I hardly ever let her do this because i did

not what them tore up, So I used them, It lasted about three days and then

she refused to look at them any more. I can not find a strong enough

reinforcer to get her to want to go to the potty.If anyone has any

suggestion, I am at my wits end. I do not want to go back to pull-ups but i

was sure she would have this down by now. THe BM's Are killing me . She used

to be constipated and only have them ever other day, now she is regular with

sometimes two a day and they are loose. Help

[Guest guest]

Hey ,

Hope the list doesn't mind a long post on this--we just went through it and the

program is fresh in my mind...

Our son had also been semi-PT for six months when we finally decided to try it

for real. We were very fortunate--it took two weeks and he only had two

accidents the whole time. Now he's in cotton underwear 24/7 and doing great. We

were not sure at all whether Connor was ready. And if he hadn't been, despite

all of our

efforts, we would have backed off immediately and tried again later. I had tried

once before, with tears on everyone's part, and knew the time wasn't right. But

I think if your daughter is semi-trained at school and only makes BMs in her

undies/diapers, she obviously has some control and awareness. (We have not used

any

aversive or negative reinforcement at all in our program, and I don't recommend

tasks like cleaning up after accidents, etc., which put the emphasis on failure

rather than success.)

Is your daughter in cotton underwear when she has accidents? That was the first

major step for Connor--we put him in underwear during his ABA sessions at first,

and when he did well we kept him in cotton. When he had an accident he could

feel it, and he didn't like the feeling. We also made a big deal out of letting

him

pick out cotton underwear at the store--he likes dinosaurs (thank you Disney!),

so he loved picking out his own dino-undies. A motivator all by itself.

The second thing we did was minimize the other ABA programs for this one. Potty,

potty, potty, every half and hour. Our consultant put up a schedule with pics

showing the process--pants down, go potty, pants up, flush, wash hands, etc.

It's right over the toilet so he can see it and practice. This was such a huge

effort

that it was OK by me if we missed some academics while we worked on this. We

also read stories to him while he sitting on the potty, which he really

enjoys--now he's got a stack of books in the bathroom of his favorite books.

We'll spend as much time in there as he needs, with no pressure, and try to make

it relaxed. I

do wonder if we went overboard, though--I remember my dad saying he was going to

the " library " and then reading in the bathroom for long periods of time... ;-)

The third thing we did, the BEST thing in my opinion, was the " Potty Prize " box.

We used the empty box his potty came in and spent about $200 in toys. We put the

toys in the box and when Connor went to the bathroom he got a prize afterward.

We told him to close his eyes and reach into the potty prize box to get a new

toy. It was like Christmas several times a day. This was a HUGE motivator--he

began to go on his own just to get a new toy. " Potty prize " became a new and

frequent phrase in his vocabulary. Now we use it only occasionally, maybe once

every two days, but he goes on his own with no problem, so I don't think he got

too

spoiled on it.

I know you said your daughter hasn't responded to a particular reinforcer--the

potty prizes may be a good approach, since she never gets the same reinforcer

twice. We were fortunate with reinforcers because of my son's (obvious OCD!)

preference for dinosaurs, so we could get all kinds of dinosaur toys that worked

well as

reinforcers. But I think even if your daughter doesn't have a specific obsession

you can use, just the idea of a box of " surprises " may motivate her.

Connor also has diarrhea, since going cf three weeks ago, but it hasn't affected

his potty training. He just goes more often, sometimes 4 BMs a day. In fact, he

surprised us last week by putting his kiddie seat on the toilet and going

without any help at all. Didn't even tell us he had to go--just felt the urge

and did

it on his own. Got a potty prize for that one! :-)

Good luck,

Lesli

Atlanta, GA

mom to Connor, 3.11 y.o.

> Message: 2

> Date: Wed, 5 Jul 2000 09:55:56 EDT

> From: ndow32408@...

> Subject: Re: Potty training

>

> My 5 yo daughter, has been semi-potty trained for 6 months.We used the rapid

> potty training method. She will stay dry at school as long as she is on a

> schedule, she can hold it for a while, At home she will stay dry if we are on

> the schedule if something comes up she will wet her pants, and she almost

> always has a BM in her pants, even being on a schedule.

> She also still needs to be verbal prompted to flush and wipe. She is

> nonverbal, and has a few signs, she can and has used the sign for toilet, but

> not consistent and is only used if I ask her if she has to potty. She will

> not initiate or go on her own. Recently i tried a schedule board that broke

> down all the steps and at the end a reward. One of her favorite things to do

> is to look at picture albulms, I hardly ever let her do this because i did

> not what them tore up, So I used them, It lasted about three days and then

> she refused to look at them any more. I can not find a strong enough

> reinforcer to get her to want to go to the potty.If anyone has any

> suggestion, I am at my wits end. I do not want to go back to pull-ups but i

> was sure she would have this down by now. THe BM's Are killing me . She used

> to be constipated and only have them ever other day, now she is regular with

> sometimes two a day and they are loose. Help

>

>

[Guest guest]

JOHN, i am looking forward to seeing the answer on this one, as my child is

the same age and i am preparing to do the same thing, so i too can't wait to

get responses to this one!!!

[ ] Potty Training

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone, I am interested in Potty Training as

well...

--- Buchek <cjbew@...> wrote:

[Guest guest]

,

Hi, my son is 2.5 yrs old, also with verbal apraxia,

and we have just started the potty training as well.

We have had a few problems with him not telling us (he

is not very verbal,with only 8 words) but I taught him

the sign language for " toilet " but we say " potty " when

we use it, because we feel it will be easier for him

to learn how to verbalize " potty " rather than toilet

when he starts becoming verbal. Another thing we have

done is gotten a small potty for him and when at home,

we let him just have his pull up on and nothing else

so that its easier for him to go on his own if need

be. I hope some of this helps!

Good Luck

Kari

Mom to Brittany 9, Spencer 6, and Tyler 2.5 w/ verbal

apraxia, DSI, oral motor weakness, and mild hypotonia.

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

To and Buchek

I have a 2 1/2 yr. old grandson who has been diagnosed with verbal apraxia.

He, too, has very receptive skills. My daughter in law has begun potty

training him. She purchased a potty a few months ago and talked to him

about it. My son takes my grandson into the bathroom and explains how he

uses it. A few days ago he was playing with a 3 yr. old boy who is trained.

My grandson was so interested in the way the little boy used the potty. The

next day he became agitated and pointed to his diaper. His mother took off

his diaper and my grandson peed!!!!! How exciting. Only thing--he will

only pee standing up. When he is home he is w/o diapers ( my daughter in

law is brave). It's two days and he always makes it to the potty. He was

also ready. I guess the next step is a bm. At this point there doesn't

seem to be any roadblocks. Keep me posted! Good luck, pg06@...

[ ] Potty Training

[Guest guest]

Hi and !

About potty training, Tanner didn't potty train until about 3 and a

half, which seemed like forever. But at 4 and a half now he has no

accidents ever and sleeps through the night. Here are a few pointers

that may help.

1. Give them some slack if they don't train as fast as your other

children. They may have hypotonia, and other things going on (motor

planning, etc.) that make it difficult for them. Check their diaper

or pull up frequently, if it stays dry for awhile, or they wake up

with a dry diaper, then maybe they are ready physically.

2. Emotionally they have more frustration than the average child.

Keep this in mind too. I wouldn't advise pushing it, let them think

it's their idea.

3. We bought Tanner a cool potty that shows a star when he pees. We

kept his pants off and let him walk around with no underpants or pull

ups on the first few days. If Tanner had to think about how to pull

his pull-up down first, it was to late. We tried putting the potty

in the bathroom, kitchen, in the playroom, even out by the pool, and

then finally in front of the TV. That worked the best for us. He

would sit on it and watch Sesame Street, and when he peed we would

all celebrate!

4. Let them pick out fancy kids underwear. Don't worry if they pee

in their clothes, just wash them (the clothes and the kid) and put on

a new pair of underwear. If they keep having accidents, they may not

be ready, so put them back in pull ups. I actually liked using

either diapers or underwear, because I found the pull ups just a bit

to cozy. Tanner wanted to wear big boy underwear, and not the diaper.

5. In addition to real people that you may call to tell the news

that " ________ peed in the potty! " Also pick up the phone and

(pretend) you are dialing everyone and their aunt to tell them that

" _________ just peed in the potty " (Remember that Toys R Us

commercial " I just pooped in the potty! " ) I let Tanner watch me call

everyone and go on like it was the most amazing news in the entire

world. Sometimes, there was nobody on the phone, but Tanner didn't

know that. Tanner loved it!

6. Bribery will get you everywhere. We purchased little matchbox

cars and anytime he used the potty he got another car. We also have

an amusement park by us and we used that as a bribe for anytime he

made a " poopie. " " If you go poopie, we'll go to the rides! "

Oh, one more thing is ALWAYS bring a change of clothes (and shoes)

when they are training. Maybe keep a change in the car. (Especially

when you go to the rides!)

Best,

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

In response to , I have twin boys one has been diagnosed with

speech apraxia the other has no problem. At about 2.5 my son that's normal

started going on the potty, the other didn't.We tried every trick in the

book,rewards for going,making him wash out his own underwear,etc. Sometimes

it seemed like he knew he had to go but he just didn't want to.One of his

therapist suggested that him being not able to communicate made him feel

frustrated and sort of helpless,and his potty going is one thing he has

total control over so he wasn't letting go of that power.

He is now 5years and 3months old and he has been going on the potty for the

past two weeks. We are praying that this is it and he's trained, but with

these type of kids they're very inconsistent and can easily slip back into

old habits.

We wish you all the luck with your son,but if it becomes hard on you,you

have to remember that its not easy for these children,they don't understand

either.

Mitch,('s Dad)

>From: " Buchek " <cjbew@...>

>Reply-

>< >

>Subject: [ ] Potty Training

>Date: Thu, 8 Mar 2001 13:27:02 -0500

>

>Hello all,

>

>I have a 2 1/2 year old boy that has verbal apraxia. I would like to

>begin

>potty training him. Are there any of you out there that have any tips on

>how to handle this ? My son does not say any words yet, but his receptive

>skills are perfect. Are there going to be certain roadblocks because he

>doesn't talk ?

>

>Any help would be appreciated !

>

> Buchek

>

_________________________________________________________________

Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

My son,, also has verba apraxia. I had no problem with him being

potty train.His receptive skills are also perfect. What worked for me

was keeping off his diaper, by the time he was 2.7 months old he was

potty train. I also kept his little potty close by to him. Bribes also

worked great to. I never pushed him or made it a big issue, I felt when

he was ready he will do it. I have another son,, who will be 1

March 15. I hope this will work for him when it will be time for his

potty training. will be 3 in April and since he was 2.7 months

old has had no accidents. I hope this helps

Good Luck,

Jeanne.

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

I am writing as a parent not as a therapist now. The key

to toilet training any child is that " They're READY " .

Boys because of their physical anatomy tend to train

later (two sphinxters rather than 1 in girls) than girls

and tend to be more active and less concerned about

wettness etc. So as a mother of two boys now 23 and 20

(suspected apraxic when little)... the easiest time to

train is in the SUMMER when the guys can wear bathing

trunks with the attached underwear (it has holes for

immediate feedback). This way they only have one set of

pants to pull down and warm weather in case of

accidents. By the way if the boys are ready, it should

not take more than 3 days!!!! If it does take more

time...maybe waiting for the warmer weather would be

prudent. What's the rush anyway? Try to decide whether

you will be training yourself to ask " Do you need to go

potty? " or training your child.

Some tricks that helped my guys included throwing

Cherrios in the toilet and letting the boys sink the

ships. Or putting a sheet of toilet paper in the water

and letting them wet in down. " Daddy PeeRaces " are also

fun and NOT YOUR JOB Moms. Anyway...Hope some of these

ideas help and Good Luck... Remember..try to make it fun

or it will become a battle ground for who's got control

and no one wants to go there.

--

Regards,

Lori Roth MA CCC/SLP

http://www.apraxia.cc

[Guest guest]

My son was a little over three when he finally potty

trained. I think he would of done it sooner but had no

reason to. Pull-ups never felt wet he did not have to

stop what he was doing to go potty just use his diaper.

When he was not playing or ever so often I checked and

changed him. he was not concerned. We tried the differnt

reward charts smily faces and etc. would work for a day

then forget it. He would no longer be interested. So I

started thinking what does he really like. Duh Trains

looked for train reward charts no luck. So I bought some

train stickers took a piece of construction paper drew a

big train track that went all the way around the paper

wrote JACOB'S Potty Chart in the middle told him each

time you use the potty you get to put a train sticker on

the track and no more pull-ups you are wearing big boy

underwear. and that was it two or three accidents over

the next few days and he has been potty trained ever

since. But one thing he was ready just until that point

had no desire.

hope that helps find something they like and come up

with your own incentive.

good luck

Robyn

[Guest guest]

Maybe I ahd it a little easier, because my second child is the one who was non-verbal until 3.5 and trained easily, probably wanting to do everything his big brother did. My first did not train until just before he turned four,, and he was completely verbal.

Summer time is my top pick on suggestions. they can run around in just underwear or shorts. but I salways relied on the pull ups shen going out.

Also I found it easier to train my younger two standing up, then sitting down like I tried with the first. Alittle stool and they could make the toilet.

also avoided alot of them wetting their own clothes by spraying under the seat when sitting.

I would also let them sit backwards on the toilet, for bm. they could play with cars on the tank. were preoccupied waiting, and thought it was funny

Lyn

Mom of three boys

[Guest guest]

, I have 3 kids (7 and 4 1/2-year-old twins). My opinion (and I

underscore that's it's just this mom's opinion) is that most children are

not ready for potty training until at least 3. At 1 week after her 3rd bday

my oldest (a girl) trained herself and never had an " accident. " At about 3

1/2 one of my twins (a boy) trained himself with a little help from his

parents. He has had many accidents since then, most recently this weekend.

Overall, I believe that the typical girl trains sooner and more consistently

than the typical boy. That's my opinion. My other twin, who has dyspraxia

and is a girl, is just now training to use the potty. We started the process

this way:

- kept children's potties on all floors or our house; pointed them out and

said nothing about her using them

- when she started sitting on the potties naked (she used them as chairs

often!) we gave her positive reinforcement (during this time she never

produced urine or BM)

- during a speech appt at home, her SLP spoke to her about using the potty,

overwhelmed her system with water, and brought her to the potty; she

produced urine!

- from that day on she used the potties for urine without telling me or

showing me! she was ready to do it on her own

- this started a few weeks ago and we're at home we have 90% success with

urine and 50% success with BMs

- outside of the house we have less success: 50% with urine and 0% with

BMs, so I need advice concerning this!

- in general I found that she has more success when she is naked; even the

feeling of underwear can prevent her from using the potty, so that may be

why we have limited success outside the home and why we have a lot of

laundry!

My advice to you: either wait until you son is a bit older or just start at

step 1. Good luck! Feel free to contact me directly at portionsize@...

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 04/16/2001 5:20:13 PM Pacific Daylight Time, atlmomof2@... writes:

How can I help her to "tell" me when she has to go? She does use some sign language but because of her lack of fine motor skills we have trouble with certain signs such as the "t" sign for potty.

My son and I are too unsophisticated for signing I'm afraid. ; )

He usually just grabs his crotch and looks a little panicked and that's all I needed in the way of communication. As time has gone by he has learned to say 'pee' or 'potty' to let me know. I tried giving him a (PECS style) picture of him using the potty to let me know, but he never wanted to communicate that way. Wish I could be more helpful.

[Guest guest]

There are 2 things you can try. First, use a small child's potty so she can

get on/off by herself. (or try having a stool nearby) Second, you don't

have to choose the ASL sign for potty. Make up your own sign or have a

picture that has the same meaning. The important thing is to keep the sign

or picture consistent so that she understands its meaning. For example,

whenever she does go potty, you model the sign or show her the picture.

Hope this helps.

Ferree -- SLP

>

>Hi, Just joined the group today. First off wanted to say WOW! soooo

>nice to realize my 2.5 daughter isn't alone! I'm convinced after

>reading posts and the web site that my daughter has apraxia. She is

>in PT, has had OT, and in ST. (was formerly diagnosed with apraxia by

>a different st but I only knew he had diagnosed her with this after I

>reread her eval after looking at the web site today, nothing was told

>to me about it or that this was anything more than normal speech

>delays) I'm so tired of people asking me what is the matter with her

>or pushing her to say " thank you " when they hand her something.

>Anyway, we are potty training and she is doing wonderful but the

>problem I'm having is she HATES to

[Guest guest]

Hi Nicky,

My son turned 3 in August and is just NOW expressing

interest in potty training. He's doing real well, but

if you'd ask me a month ago, I would have said that I

may as well own stock in pampers. lol

In my own situation, I think Tyler being apraxic did

hinder any potty training. I was frustrated all the

time cause he WOULDN'T let anyone know he had to go

and he was very frustrated because he COULDN'T let

anyone know. Now, he does pretty well. We still have

accidents. Mainly I quit trying to bribe and pressure

him into going. And soon after that he just started

going on his own.

Good luck, and hope this helps.

> I have a 3 year old that is still not potty trained.

> Do you guys think apraxic

> kids are slower to potty train?

[Guest guest]

I also have a 3 1/2 year old boy who wants nothing to do with potty

training. I know I cannot force the issue but I wish I could do something

ot be encouraging. We are dealing with so many struggles right now and I

just wish we could accomplish something. Does anyone have any hints or

advice? Thanks,

Z.

[ ] potty training

I have a 3 year old that is still not potty trained. Do you guys think

apraxic

kids are slower to potty train? She is very interested in the potty and

always

wants to take her pants and diaper off but she would rather pee in her

diaper.

I will ask her if she needs to pee and she says no then will pee her pants

a

minute later. Any advice?

Nicky/Mi

[Guest guest]

Hey Nicky -

I was very lucky in that my son potty trained himself. He has sensory

integration issues and is paranoid about getting dirty, so the sooner he was

potty trained, the happier he was. HOWEVER - I have heard MANY people with

apraxic children say this is a common problem. I hope you get the advice you

are looking for (you may even want to check the archives) - just wanted to let

you know you are not alone out there!!

Carnell

North Carolina

[ ] potty training

I have a 3 year old that is still not potty trained. Do you guys think

apraxic

kids are slower to potty train? She is very interested in the potty and

always

wants to take her pants and diaper off but she would rather pee in her diaper.

I will ask her if she needs to pee and she says no then will pee her pants a

minute later. Any advice?

Nicky/Mi

[Guest guest]

My daughter turned 3 Sept. 14 and is just now potty trained...still wets

naps and nights. I was beginning to wonder if she would ever be potty

trained also. Not only was she having problems telling me when she had to

go but she is so small (20lbs) she can't get on the potty herself and still

can't dress and undress herself. She finally learned the sign for potty and

I decided to quit pressuring her about it. I did start letting her wear

cloth training pants and I think with her Sensory issues she hated the way

it felt wet and it was like she was suddenly potty trained...just took 1

week. I think also that her starting pre-school that week she saw all the

other kids going to the big potty. I was starting to get worried though as

I had always heard girls were easier and my son was potty trained right

around age 2.

Hannah,mom to LeAnne (3, apraxia, DSI, hypotonia) and (5)

_________________________________________________________________

Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp

[Guest guest]

Potty training is the one thing my daughter with apraxia has done

great with. She's the only one of my kids that doesn't have

accidents at night (unless she's sick and that's rare).

My oldest son with no problems has been the worst.

Suzi

--- In @y..., muller nicky <peppermintpiggy@y...>

wrote:

I have a 3 year old that is still not potty trained. Do you guys

think apraxic

kids are slower to potty train? She is very interested in the

potty and always

wants to take her pants and diaper off but she would rather pee in

her diaper.

I will ask her if she needs to pee and she says no then will pee

her pants a

minute later. Any advice?

Nicky/Mi

[Guest guest]

I didn't know at the time we potty trained my son that he was apraxic but

knew he was speech delayed. He was very hard to potty train. It was a

nightmare. we are past it now. My big suggugestion is use disposable pull

ups!!!! It will save your sanity!!! It is just going to take time. Be

very consistant and patient. I had to learn from my mistakes.

Just remember it is not about your parenting skills or about his obedience.

He is just going to need extra time. I have potty trained 3 children. and

he was definately the most difficult. and the only one with dyspraxia.

Re: [ ] potty training

> Hi Nicky,

> My son turned 3 in August and is just NOW expressing

> interest in potty training. He's doing real well, but

> if you'd ask me a month ago, I would have said that I

> may as well own stock in pampers. lol

> In my own situation, I think Tyler being apraxic did

> hinder any potty training. I was frustrated all the

> time cause he WOULDN'T let anyone know he had to go

> and he was very frustrated because he COULDN'T let

> anyone know. Now, he does pretty well. We still have

> accidents. Mainly I quit trying to bribe and pressure

> him into going. And soon after that he just started

> going on his own.

> Good luck, and hope this helps.

>

>

>

> > I have a 3 year old that is still not potty trained.

> > Do you guys think apraxic

> > kids are slower to potty train?

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

I HAVE been using pull-ups for a long time now - you're right, they save

your sanity!

~~

in PA

Re: [ ] potty training

> I didn't know at the time we potty trained my son that he was apraxic but

> knew he was speech delayed. He was very hard to potty train. It was a

> nightmare. we are past it now. My big suggugestion is use disposable

pull

> ups!!!! It will save your sanity!!! It is just going to take time. Be

> very consistant and patient. I had to learn from my mistakes.

>

> Just remember it is not about your parenting skills or about his

obedience.

> He is just going to need extra time. I have potty trained 3 children.

and

> he was definately the most difficult. and the only one with dyspraxia.

>

[Guest guest]

My son, Zach, with oral/limb apraxia is 3 years and 3 months and has no

interest whatsoever is potty training. I am not pushing him because I know with

my so called " normal " son he potty trained when he got ready and there was

nothing I could do to make him do it. He was 3 years when he became totally

potty trained. I do not know if there is a correlation with apraxia but Zach is

definitely not ready.

Daphne

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

My son just turned 4 and the poopy part of the whole process is still a

trial at times. Sometimes he holds it and holds it until the very last

second, which causes a lot of accidents or near accidents. I don't know if

this is right or not, probably not for some, but because I knew that he knew

when he needed to go and just was avoiding it, I told him I would spank him

if he pooped his pants. I've never had to spank him for that; he will go as

long as one of us is right there with him so he can hang onto us while he

goes. He still waits until the last second, so heaven forbid we aren't near

a bathroom at the time.

He didn't even potty train until 6 or 7 months ago. And that was only when

I finally told him I wouldn't put a diaper on him anymore. For one whole

day he cried to everyone who came home trying to get them to put a diaper on

him and I said NO. He finally gave up and from that day forward has used

the toilet. He knew what he was supposed to be doing, just liked the

attention I think of getting his diaper changed.

Don't you feel like sometimes we should have had majored in child

psychology?

Trudi

>From: " DMon98 " <dmharrison98@...>

>Reply-

>

>Subject: [ ] Potty Training

>Date: Fri, 28 Jun 2002 22:20:33 -0000

>

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