Myths About Potty Training Special Needs Children

Potty training special needs children can be a daunting task for parents and teachers. There are many myths and misconceptions about this process that can lead to confusion and frustration. In this blog post, we will dispel some of the most common myths about potty training special needs children, and provide helpful tips for success. Debunking these myths will hopefully make the process a little less overwhelming for everyone involved. You can download a FREE copy of this blog post on potty training special needs children to use as a handout at the bottom of this post.

This informational handout is from the complete Special Needs Toilet Training Handouts Packet.

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MYTH #1: SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN MUST BE COMPLETELY READY TO START POTTY TRAINING

Many may think that a special needs child must be completely ready to train before initiating toilet training.  This is not the case. Pre-training can begin with any child at almost every level of ability.

While it is important to look for certain readiness cues, such as interest in the toilet, ability to follow simple directions and regular bowel movements, it is not necessary for a child to be 100% “ready” before starting. In fact, starting toilet training sooner rather than later can often be helpful. If a child is showing any interest in the toilet or potty training, it is worth exploring further, even if they are not yet displaying all the “typical” readiness cues.

MYTH #2: BOYS SHOULD DELAY STANDING TO URINATE, PARTICULARLY IF THEY HAVE BALANCE ISSUES.

This myth is based on the idea that boys with special needs or balance issues will have difficulty aiming while standing. While this may be true for some boys, it is not a reason to delay toilet training.

Because it is anatomically awkward for boys to urinate in sitting, transitioning to a standing position should be done as soon as it is safe to do so.

MYTH #3: IT WILL BE AS EASY TO SPOT READINESS FOR TOILET TRAINING AS IT IS FOR TYPICALLY DEVELOPING KIDS.  

This is not always the case. While some children with special needs will show typical readiness cues for toilet training, others may not. Language and motor challenges obscure readiness in many children.

It is important to look for any interest or excitement that your child shows towards the toilet, potty training, or using the bathroom in general.

Any level of interest, no matter how small, is worth exploring. Even if your child does not yet display all the “typical” readiness cues for toilet training, they may still be interested in and benefit from pre-training activities.

MYTH #4: CHILDREN NEED TO BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE VERBALLY TO BE TRAINED.  

This is not true. Many children who are nonverbal or have limited speech can still be toilet trained.

Toilet training requires communication, but this can be done in many ways. Signing, Picture Exchange Communication Symbols (PECS), and idiosyncratic gestures can be very effective communication strategies.

MYTH #5: FECAL SMEARING IS AN ATTENTION-GETTING BEHAVIOR.

Fecal smearing is not always an attention-getting behavior. Fecal smearing and play are complex behaviors with sensory, cognitive, and motor contributions.

In some cases, fecal smearing may be an attention-seeking behavior. However, in other cases it may be a sensory seeking behavior, or a way to cope with anxiety.

It is important to work with a qualified professional to determine the function of the behavior before implementing a toilet training program.

MYTH #6: CHILDREN INDEPENDENT USING TOILETS AT HOME AND SCHOOL ARE ALWAYS COMFORTABLE IN ALL PUBLIC TOILETS.  

This is not always the case. Many children who are independent using toilets at home and school are still uncomfortable using public toilets.

There are many reasons for this, including anxiety about new environments, challenges with motor skills, and sensory sensitivities.

Continence at home or school can obscure fear, confusion, and inability to handle sensory stimuli around the use of public toilets.

MYTH #7: USING CLOTH TRAINING PANTS SLOWS DOWN TRAINING MORE THAN USING PULL-ON DIAPERS.  

In reality, some children may be more motivated to use the toilet when they are using cloth training pants because they can feel when they are wet. Disposable training pants decrease valuable sensory feedback for training.

Using cloth training pants can provide important feedback that can help children learn to use the toilet.

MYTH #8: PREPARING PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS FOR TOILET TRAINING IS NOT AS IMPORTANT AS PREPARING CHILDREN.

This is not true. Toilet training is a family affair. Parents and caregivers need to be prepared for the process, both emotionally and practically.  Everyone involved needs to be prepared for training!

MYTH #9: CHILDREN WILL AUTOMATICALLY KNOW HOW TO WIPE, HAVING EXPERIENCED WIPING DURING DIAPER CHANGES SINCE BIRTH.  

Many children do not learn how to wipe during diaper changes because they are not physically able to do so. Wiping needs to be taught, just like all the other actions. You can read more about potty training and wiping here.

MYTH #10: EVERY SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD WILL RESPOND TO A STAR CHART FOR REWARDING TOILET USE.  

Not every child is driven by external motivation like a star chart. Charts are only ONE way to use rewards and maintain motivation for training.

NEED MORE INFORMATION ON POTTY TRAINING SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN?

SPECIAL NEEDS TOILET TRAINING HANDOUTS -Informative handouts explaining the skills and the strategies to go from pre-training to using the public toilet!

THE PRACTICAL GUIDE TO TOILET TRAINING THE AUTISTIC CHILD – Written by an experienced occupational therapist, this ebook provides all the information and tools you need to successfully toilet train your child with ASD.

THE PRACTICAL GUIDE TO TOILET TRAINING YOUR CHILD WITH LOW MUSCLE TONE – Written by an experienced occupational therapist, this book explains how low muscle tone creates motor, sensory processing, and social/emotional issues for kids, and provides targeted strategies for toilet training success.