The bottom line on potty training children with special needs is that they’ll do it when they’re ready. That readiness may be impacted by physical, developmental, emotional, sensory, and other factors that don’t respond to bribes and threats. When it comes to potty training, kids hold all the cards, and if they won’t or can’t cooperate, it’s almost impossible to make them. However, if you think your child might be ready, here’s a technique to try.
Set aside a week to focus on absolutely nothing else but potty training.
No school, no work, no playdates, no outings, no visitors, no nothing. This is serious business for your child. Treat it seriously. If possible, choose a week during the summer or a period of warm weather.
Gather your supplies.
To make this "no pants" method work, you'll need:
- A portable potty chair
- A waterproof crib liner
- A long T-shirt that covers your child’s private parts
- “Pool shoes” or flip-flops
- Loose boy’s swim trunks.
At the start of your scheduled week, dress your child in nothing but the T-shirt.
No diapers, no underpants, no pants or skirt, no socks or shoes, just the shirt. Explain to your child that this is going to be his or her outfit for the next few days.
Wherever your child goes, the potty chair and crib liner follow.
If he’s watching TV, he’s sitting on the potty chair. If she’s coloring, you’ve pulled the potty chair up to a coffee table for her. If she’s playing on the floor, she’s sitting on the crib liner. He eats meals at that same low table, or on the floor.
Limit outside play to a private area where your child can continue to go pants-less.
If there’s a safe area of your backyard, you can let him or her run around. If not, it’s indoors and on the crib liner for the duration.
Keep trips away from home short and seldom.
If you absolutely must take your child somewhere -- and try not to, and certainly not for more than a short trip -- add a pair of loose boy’s swim trunks and pool shoes or flip flops to your child’s T-shirt outfit. The idea is to stay away from anything that would be a problem if it got wet. Put the crib liner and maybe a towel or two on your child’s carseat. And get back home fast.
Keep this up for a week, or until your child gets with the potty program, whichever happens first.
If you’re really firm and really consistent, this method should focus your child’s attention on his potty needs. If it doesn’t work, it may mean that he or she is just not
ready. The time will come.
