Potty for 5.5. year old with dyspraxia

[chivers1977]

Not sure what happened to my last post that I just did :(

Anyway I am looking for a potty for my son who has suspected dyspraxia. He either bedwets or doesn't make it to our only bathroom downstairs. Going to try a potty for his room before nappies but I need to find a large sturdy one as he is heavy and clumsy!! Please help!

www.livingmadeeasy.org.uk/children/commodes-%26-potty-chairs-3136/

HTH :)

thank you. would these be provided by occupational therapy when I finally get to see them? this stuff all seems so expensive! also is it normal to regress as he has been pretty much dry for 2 years and now it is almost every night- worth a gp visit?

Just checked out that link above and its the same one we got supplied from OT. Makes a great chair and would make a good toilet if DD knew how or what it was for. Also doesn't look that bad or obvous sitting in middle of living room floor

I got a friend to make one - he sawed a hole in a chair and added arms for me!

Another suggestion is house clearance places. We have one called missionary mart - but most areas have something similar. A lot of standard boring older peoples type commodes come up at these places. A thorough clean - rub down and paint - add stickers etc and it could look fine.

Thanks all - does anyone know the answer to this one:

is it normal to regress as he has been pretty much dry for 2 years and now it is almost every night- worth a gp visit?

Any changes are worth a visit to GP. Lots of causes to changes - GP can help in working out what could and is unlikely to be.

Thank you auntevil. Will book him in - better to be safe than sorry x

Just a thought - when did this start ?

It started in the last 3 months or so.

We were told by the school (he is in year 1) 3 weeks ago that they think he has dyspraxia but we haven't told him yet as no dx. THere is just a whole lot less shouting in the house as we now understand that he isn't being stubborn or lazy most of the time, he just can't do it! He used to sleep all night long and now every night around 3 or 4 he needs to go to the toilet.

He did get to the bathroom last night as I had left his nightlight and the downstairs hall light on. Not sure whether his bottoms are wet yet as he is still asleep but he then managed leave ALL of the lights downstairs on.

It's only a thought but i did wonder if it started in the same timescale as going back to school. There is a big jump from reception to year 1 - and again going into year 3. There is a lot more focus on work, sitting still and less playing, so more attention and skill required. Maybe an adverse reaction to this?
My DS1 dx dyspraxia is year 3 and has the occasional accident - my DS2 is year 1 and still in pull ups if its any consolation.
I know the gp will check that you are doing the usual no drinks after tea time - nothing at bedtime. Making sure that he goes before he goes to bed etc - suck eggs i know, but they will ask.
As i said, tons of things it could be, so don't worry unduly.

Thank you Auntevil. You may well be right as it is a complete difference in Y1. He is at holiday club at the moment and it is now every night so could well be to do with the change in routine etc

Hi. My ds has Dyspraxia and was dx when he was 4.5yrs and is now 12yrs.
I think it would be good for the GP to rule out a urine infection. Quite honestly, if your ds has Dyspraxia, restricting drinks etc. will have little bearing on his toileting. He will achieve being dry, but as dyspraxia is a developmental disorder, he will be behind his peers, so best not to stress about it.(I know, easier said than done). Sometimes, there can be problems with soiling also.
Help your ds, by leaving nightlights on and hall-light and maybe the toilet light, then all he has to concentrate on, is going to the toilet.
Dyspraxia needs to be dx by an OT or a Paediatrician, so the sooner you see one the better.
Has your ds other difficulties? Dyspraxia effects co-ordination and gross and fine motor skils. So, his handwriting maybe messy, gripping pencils maybe hard, things that can affect his performannce in the classroom. When you see the OT, ask her to see your ds at school, so she can advise the teacher on ways to help your ds.
He may find dressing difficult-ie, buttons, zips, and be a messy eater.
Your ds will eventually master a lot of these skills, but will be behind his peers, so dont compare what his peers/siblings can do and what he cant. My ds can still not tie laces, so we buy trainers with velcro. You will find you become inventive with ways to help your ds.
Lastly, Dyspraxia can affect emotions-ie, dc can be irritable, tearful and get stressed easily. As your ds progresses through school, he will get tired much quicker than his classmates, as he is having to work twice as hard to follow instructions etc.
Waiting lists for OTs are looong, so keep on, till you get to see one. HTH.

Hi Bigpants,

He has every single one of the symptoms on the dyspraxia foundation website except that he can throw and catch and ride a tricyle! We are sure that he does have it and the school will be starting fizzy (sp?!) after half term. We have realised how we have had to make allowances and as you say be inventive with him without even realising to get him through things.

I am absolutley adamant that my son will not suffer educationally or employment wise due to it. I will be doing whatever I can to get him help. I am sure that both myself and DH have dyspraxia too. I couldn't catch, balance really bad, clumsy (smashed my glasses yesterday having ripped a contact lens last wk - but I have a good degree from a good uni, good job in a bank and played volleyball for the england juniors. However tennis with a racket - hahaha no way!! My OH I think has it worse - pacing, always likes to lie down on the settee, handwriting atrocious, concentration etc etc and he was allowed to leave school at 15 with no quals. That will not happen to my son..........

Your post was great. It focused me even more on pushing for him. thank youx