Potty training difficulties

[poppet31]

We are having some difficulties with potty training and would be interested in hearing from anyone who has had similar problems. Our AS will be 4 in March and has global developmental delay. He is doing well and is now only around 6 months behind in most areas but he are having real trouble with toilet training. He has always had bowel problems - when he first came home he was severely constipated and was only doing a poo every 4-5 days (foster carers thought this was normal!) He was treated with movicol and now he is going daily but it's almost went the other way and we have poo in pretty much every nappy. He can't seem to get it all out in one go so we have constant soiling. He seems to have no awareness and doesn't tell us when he has went. We tried potty training a few months ago but it's was a disaster and he got really upset so we didn't persevere.

He is due to start school in September(mainstream) so our thoughts are turning to toilet training and general school readiness but he still just doesn't seem ready and with his bowel problems, I just don't know how we're going to get there. Has anyone's child had similar difficulties and do you have any tips? He is under a paediatrician but to be honest they have been useless and have offered no treatment apart from movicol. Thanks.

Is he still on Movicol? That would explain the almost constant soiling. Equally if he has come off could this be overflow soiling? ie frequent loose stools that could be mistaken for diarrhoea but are in fact a symptom of constipation (Google if you haven't heard of it). Coming off stool softeners is a real balancing act. I wouldn't attempt potty training until this side of things is sorted, school or no school.

He'll come on loads in the next few months and potty training is much easier in summer when you can just let him run around in the garden with no pants.

I'd be tempted to give it another few months and start late spring. Still gives you plenty of time to practice.

I’d have a chat to the school about it too, both mine had toileting problems at school my DD particularly and she was 6. The school dealt with it very sensitively and were fantastic with her. They accommodated her needs as part her wider support needs.

I would go back to the GP, and ask if you can get advice from the continence service. Have you seen the Eric website?

It sounds like you're not on top of the constipation. That first.