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