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Original poster

Toilet Training the Hyposensitive!

11 replies

Cinnamondog · 13/04/2011 18:36

Hi all,

New here, looking for pearls of wisdom. My son is 4 years 3 months and has ASD and hyposensitivity. Though I have tried all the normal strategies, and some very abnormal ones, hehas absolutely no interest in toilet trainng. The OT has said this is because he is hyposensitive; basically he can not feel that he needs he toilet until it's too late. I have been doing physio to build up sensation receptors in the necessary areas, (light touch and deep touch massage, have had the other half show him what to do, have bought books, have gone thorugh the toilet routine over and over, nothing works. Tried putting him in pants, taking him to the toilet every 2 minutes, etc. with him yesterday. He went through 9 pairs of pants in just over 2 hours and got totally stressed.

Help please!!

OP posts:

EllenJane1 · 13/04/2011 19:00

Really sorry, cinnamondog, my DS2 is also hyposensitive and at age 11 we still have skiddy pants. It's better than it was at 4 yo but it's just been a long, slow slog. He now stops himself once he has started, but still needs telling to go to the toilet, won't take himself. We tried reward charts etc but he just doesn't feel it. And he's not that bothered. He's not constipated so laxatives aren't any good. (In fact avoid as with little control laxatives are poo scary!)

A warm drink after tea then a long sit on the toilet have worked the best. Had to find a suitable activity to sit to, (Nintendo DS maybe, we have an IPod touch.) Sorry haven't been much help. It was the worst thing about his ASD for years, but I had to stop stressing about it. Wasn't doing him or me any good.

Original poster

Cinnamondog · 13/04/2011 19:40

Oh bless! As another ASD parent I can see the funny/ sweet side of it all. My little man isn't bothered either. I'm significantly less stressed about it than I used to be, but just concerned as to the ongoing problems it may cause him with peers, etc. as there is a good, if not definite chance he will be going mainstream.

They are funny little onions aren't they? Never a dull moment though! Thanks for the reply xx

OP posts:

EllenJane1 · 13/04/2011 19:57

DS is in mainstream also. Caused a few problems early on with 'smelly' teasing, but getting him to have a bit of a routine time to poo outside school hours helped, as did an ASD awareness talk with his peers at Y1. Not about poo, just invisible disabilities etc. The MS class were very tolerant after and really look out for him. He's gorgeous, completely off the wall, but the pooing really got to me. He was dry day and night at 2.5!

MarioandLuigi · 13/04/2011 20:13

My DS is 4 years 2 months and just like yours he doesnt understand when he needs a wee, and it doesnt bother him. He is also hyposensitive.

I would also suggest if he is having that many accidents he might not have full bladder control. One of the first signs of being ready is that children start to be able to hold it more, and only go when the bladder is really full.

Are you like us - trying to get him out of nappies befpre school in September?

EllenJane1 · 13/04/2011 20:18

Oh god, wee? Here's me going off on one about poo! Sorry, wrong end of the stick. You can tell I was traumatised!

Original poster

Cinnamondog · 13/04/2011 21:01

Not at all, both ends of the stick relevant for my boy!

Yep, trying to get him sorted for September, but as he will be going into an ASD resource they'll be a lot more tolerant of 'accidents'. He's a funny one; some times he'll have 3 or 4 nights where he'll wake up dry, then another 3 or 4 where he'll pee the bed through is nappy. He also has a terrible tummy; runny and smelly most of the time; are discussing having dietary intolerances checked next OT visit in May.

That being said, everyone at his current nursery adores him; all the kids know his name, all the teachers have to stop themselves hugging him, he's always laughing and by heck he's cute!

xxx

OP posts:

MarioandLuigi · 13/04/2011 21:19

He sounds lovely Cinnamondog :)

EllenJane1 · 13/04/2011 21:25

He sounds lovely. So much for DC with ASD not being affectionate! It's a real advantage of hyposensitivity that they love cuddles. TBH they wouldn't bat an eyelid at pull ups at an ASD unit.

Would leaving it a bit longer be an option? Or would that feel like a backwards step? I think my DS could have benefited from leaving it longer, but the fact he was dry made me want to persevere. I was still in denial a bit at that stage pre DX.

If his poo is runny he hasn't got much hope of controlling it, with hyposensitivity on top. Dietician should be able to advise you. We tried GF/CF diet but under supervision of an NHS dietician. Too easy to be missing vital nutrients if you go it alone. I do feel for you.

EllenJane1 · 13/04/2011 21:26

X posted with Mario

Original poster

Cinnamondog · 14/04/2011 11:17

Hee hee!

Yep, going to wait for some professional advice; we are so lucky little man is not a faddy eater at all so don't want to start restricting him without good reason.

I've yet to meet an autistic chid who's not affectionate TBH, (and I was an SEN teacher specialising in autism before my little guy came along, now work as a youth worker with LD and ASD teenagers, same story!). I know that it does exist, but just not in my experience. I think that is the element of ASD that scares most people, but not (happily) my experience.

DH and I are going to give it another little go in a few weeks, (have two older step sons and there is no way I could even consider toilet training while they are about, if only because they both seem surgically attached to the bathroom!), but an hour at a time and if it doesn't work - meh! It seems such an individual thing by child. September would be nice, but not essential. I know of many 'average' kids still in pull ups at reception.

I hate 'regular' and 'normal' as it insinuates our kids are irregular and abnormal, so I say 'average' as our kids are anything but!

xxx

OP posts:

kidzexhibitions · 14/04/2011 11:26

PromoCon provides a national service, working as part of Disabled Living, Manchester to improve the life for all people with bladder or bowel problems by offering product information, advice and practical solutions to both professionals and the general public.

PromoCon employs a multidisciplinary team of people who work with other services and organizations to develop improvements for people who have continence difficulties.

Helpline

PromoCon offers a confidential helpline to provide impartial and unbiased information relating to continence products and services. The helpline is available to all people with bladder or bowel problems and their carers, healthcare professionals and to manufacturers of continence products.

TEL: 0161 834 2001

www.promocon.co.uk

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