| Most parents wonder how their children with | | | | syndrome. Giving an edible reinforcement might |
| Down syndrome will learn to become toilet | | | | be tried, but this can lead to the child expecting |
| trained. This is understandably an anxious time for | | | | something to eat every time he has success on |
| a parent, as you might be thinking about sending | | | | the toilet. Since children with Down syndrome |
| your child to a preschool program and wonder if | | | | already may struggle with weight issues, it is |
| he will ever be out of diapers. Teaching any child | | | | recommended that reinforcements such as verbal |
| to use the toilet can be a frustrating time for | | | | praise, hugs, high fives be used instead. |
| parents, and the child, but if you relax and | | | | Some parents may have expectations for their |
| remember that you cannot "make" him learn | | | | child in the area of toilet training that are too high. |
| before he is ready, he will leave those diapers | | | | Remember that not only is your child delayed |
| behind someday. | | | | mentally, he also may lack the proper muscle |
| One professional suggests taking a few days to | | | | control at the average age that an "average" child |
| document your child's voiding schedule. Check his | | | | is toilet trained. He will eventually learn this too; it |
| diaper every twenty to thirty minutes to see | | | | will be on his own individual timetable. |
| when he is going, and what (urine, bowel | | | | Night training may be even further behind the |
| movement). When data is taken for a few days | | | | average child's schedule. Manufacturers are now |
| and you can see some semblance of a pattern, | | | | making disposable underwear (commonly called |
| you will want to schedule toilet times for those | | | | "pull-ups") in sizes large enough to accommodate a |
| specific times of the day. | | | | child up to 125 pounds. This does not mean that |
| One suggestion is to give your child some fluids to | | | | your child will be night trained so much later, but |
| drink about 15 to 20 minutes before you plan on | | | | he just might not learn until he is that size, and |
| toileting him. Tell your child he is going to use the | | | | you need to be aware of that fact. |
| toilet, and if needed, use the sign for it and help | | | | "Megan was a few months older than four when |
| him make the sign. | | | | she was toilet trained during the day, and in |
| Make his toilet training experience pleasant. Have | | | | retrospect, I wish I had relaxed more with her in |
| books available for looking at during this time, and | | | | the preceding years in trying to get her trained. I |
| keep the toileting time short, about 7 or 8 | | | | felt a lot of pressure from other people, but you |
| minutes at the most. If your child does not void | | | | can't "make" her learn something until she is ready |
| during this time, don't force it or use an | | | | to learn it. She wasn't night trained until she was |
| unpleasant or frustrated tone. Have him get off | | | | ten and a half. It just happened when it did, and |
| and then try again at the next scheduled time. | | | | that's all there is to it," says Valerie, mother of a |
| A lot of praise is necessary when toilet training | | | | 17 year old daughter with Down syndrome. |
| your child, especially for a child who has Down | | | | |