I have potty-trained 9 kids. I'm not sure how it will go this time. I've read on others' blogs that it may take a couple of years to potty-train my son. I bought him a cute little Cars potty chair, but he doesn't seem too interested in it. Since he's my youngest, I'm not that concerned about it, but then I don't want him to start school still needing to potty-train. I would think he'd be embarrassed if he had accidents at school or had to wear pull-ups so I'm going to try really hard to get him trained before he attends school.
We watched a DVD today about going potty. It's Blue's Clues style and he seemed to enjoy it. I guess I'll see if it has any effect. I've never used videos/DVDs or potty chairs so this is all new to me. I'm going to be optimistic and hope it won't take too long.
If you have any hints, please, let me know. I'd love to hear any and all ideas to get through this next milestone.
Rebecca,
ReplyDeleteI had potty training delays big-time with my son (along with other issues), who was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. What saved the day for me was having him tested and accepted at our school district's Early Childhood Learning Center (pre-school through Kindergarten). There, he was in a class with children of varying disabilities (including Down's Syndrome), and they had the special potty training chairs and the personnel to help him throughout the day.
At first, I was quite reluctant to send him off to a pre-school at age 3, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise because early intervention is key when it comes to autistic spectrum disorders. He thrived there until they finally had to exit him from the program while still Nursery School-aged because he no longer qualified. By then he was not only potty-trained, but had taught himself to read!
This was in Riverside, CA. I would imagine your school district would have something similar.
By the way, I love your new blog. I may have to try something similar if and when Laps comes out.
Like Tanya, I too, found it helpful to send my son with Asperger's to preschool even though he wasn't potty trained, either. It was harder on me than on him and the teachers and aides were wonderful. He caught on about halfway through the year. He was my fourth child and nothing that worked on my other children worked on him. Preschool saved the day!
ReplyDeleteYou have a lovely blog and I'm sure it will be of help to other mothers facing similar challenges as you.
My second son was four before he got serious about it. I was worried he'd start school in diapers but he was not only not interested, he was anti-underwear. It took the derision of an uncle to get him to tell me he was ready to grow up. Another of my boys liked underwear, loved going number 1 but number 2 surprised him everytime. FOR A YEAR! I'm so glad that part of my mothering career is over. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter (Joubert Syndrome) was nearly 8 before she decided it was okay to use a toilet. I had a therapist that made a darling little book, starring Mallory and her favorite cartoon character, Dora. It talked about Dora being a big girl and using the potty, about cute panties, and a picture of Mallory (in her clothes) sitting on the potty, and a reward for using the potty (for her it was watching her favorite DVD). She loved the book, but still wasn't keen on using the toilet (she hates change). It wasn't until I had a baby and was potty training him that she finally decided it was time. After 15 years of diapers (from my older to youngest I'd always had at least one in diapers) we were finally done! Whew! I concur that the pre-school programs are amazing and wonderful. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments. Unfortunately, we only have regular preschool here, nothing for kids with special needs. And our preschool is a little scary. I've gotten him to actually sit on the toilet which is progress for him. I guess I'll keep at it. I've had diapers at my house for over 23 years--weird because I'm only 25 or so :).
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