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2 days dry

10 replies

cyberseraphim · 26/06/2008 19:40

Nothing to do with abstinence from alcohol unfortunately but DS1 has used the toilet properly for two days now - mostly in supermarket facilities but it's a start. We could always pretend part of our home is Sainsburys if that's what it takes!

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magso · 26/06/2008 19:43

Well done! ( Ds had a thing about petrol station loos - but whatever it takes!)

misscutandstick · 26/06/2008 19:44

YAYYY go your DS1. Pleased for you, its a fantastic acheivement!

Maybe you could stack tins next to the toilet???

cyberseraphim · 26/06/2008 19:45

I'm thinking maybe we could borrow Morrisons uniforms to wear for a while....

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TinySocks · 26/06/2008 19:48

cyber, I was about to write on here asking you how the toilet training is going.
When you say "dry", do you mean that he is asking you for the toilet when he needs to go, or to you have to put him in the toilet every certain time?

(sorry to be nosy, but having a dreadful time toilet training DS, so very keen to hear about it)

cyberseraphim · 27/06/2008 10:18

Hi - I will post some longer advice later about what we have been doing with DS1 for the past three months in case it is of any use to you. But in answer to your question, it's hard to know as he does ask to go to the toilet. However this in itself is not unusual as he is always asking to go to the toilets (but just to look at them) but it has only been for the last 2 days that he has actually used the toilet succesfully. For some odd reason, he has been dry at night for over a year now. I think he is in reverse gear - (1) dry at night, (2) dry out of the home, (3) dry at home - whereas for NT children it is often the other way round.

OP posts:
TotalChaos · 27/06/2008 10:37

well done mini cyber!

cyberseraphim · 27/06/2008 12:49

These are my suggestions based on the last three months.

Identify what the problems are

(1) Physical control - how long can the child stay dry/clean in the day?

(2) Lack of understanding of what is expected on toilet or potty - this is often the key problem with SN children whose communication/understanding is not age appropriate.

Problem 1. You would probably want a dry period of 2-3 hours in the day. I didn't have any problems here as DS1 was dry for long periods of the day so I don't know what is advised other than waiting if the child still has control problems.

Working with Problem 2

In the first few weeks take the child frequently to the toilet. Make it a pleasant experience and reward him/her with a treat. However don't prolong the visit if there is no result as otherwise the child might start to think 'this is just a place I go to get treats'

Try to make a rough note of the times of the day that the child is wet or dirty. This will never be an exact science but might give you some idea about times of the day to focus on.

When you think the child is familiar with the procedure of going to the toilet ( and has positive associations) you can reduce the number of visits in the day and try to work on a pattern of first thing in the morning, before leaving home, when arriving back home, 20 mins after meal, before bed time etc

General issues

Go cold turkey with removing absorbent nappies. Until the child is aware of the problem of wetness, there is little incentive to solve it. DS1 was wetting the kitchen floor for a few weeks before finally realising what the toilet is really for.

Patience, Peristence Perseverance - The process will take a long time compared to what is involved with an NT child. Don't tell anyone you don't trust that you are doing it. They may be well meaning but they might not realise just how much harder it is when the child is developmentally delayed. The last thing you want is little anecdotes about what they did with their NT children. Also the time scale for NT children is much shorter so any comparison will make you feel doom laden.

It seemed to click more with DS1 both when he realised he did not like being wet and also when we let him stand on a step by the toilet so that he can face forward like daddy. He is training daddy now - when he takes him into town he says 'Daddy toilet' and starts taking him in.

Well we are only 2 days in and I am sure there will be setbacks but I feel a bit more confident now about eventual success.

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TinySocks · 27/06/2008 13:23

Oh Goodness, I just reread my post and realised that with all the excitement about your news I totally forgot to actually congratulate you for your DS?s success!! So sorry!
And CONGRATULATIONS!!! It is a huge step forward, I am really struggling.

I will read your suggestions, thank you for sharing!

cyberseraphim · 27/06/2008 14:46

Update News Flash

Costa Coffee facilities are now on the approved list! That's fine by me if I have to drive out there for an expresso in the afternoon!

Day 3 ! Wow what will the washing machine do without all those extra clothes to wash!

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Aefondkiss · 29/06/2008 21:07

congrats cyber... I am planning on trying to get my ds to wear pants and use the loo over the summer holidays, we tried last summer, I gave up after 3 weeks.

it is great to see success, long may it last!

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