Potty Training - Orem,UT

This book is great:Toilet training in less than a day by Nathan H. Azrin and Richard M. Foxx

It actually came about because of efforts to potty train develpomentally delayed, mentally retarded many years ago... works great. Good luck M.!

Heya!
I say congrats! It sounds like potty training the little one will be a breeze. If he's ready, let him go for it. I feel 22 mo is old enough for him to except/refuse the potty. Every kid develops at their own pace, but I don't need to preach to the choir. Maybe both kids will learn together. I emagine that would help the two kids bond as well as decrease the diapers you have to buy.

L. :)

Hi There,
This might be helpful to you. Best of luck! http://www.pottytrainingconcepts.com/Potty-Training-in-On...

Buy boxer type shorts for your son. That way he will connect where the urine is coming from when he wets. Condition him to thinking being wet is yikky. It feels awful. Put him on toilet every 30 minutes first day. He will wet his shorts. Make him take them off, wash them in sink and hang to dry on towel rack.
Continue process. He will hate washing the shorts over and over and over. By fourth day he will be trained. We used this for grandson who was developmentally delayed. Obtained this advice for developmental pediatrician. S.

I don't have any ideas for your oldest son, but for your youngest. He's just ready. I had twin sisters thfree years older than me. So they were working on potty training when I was learning to walk. I walked early at nine months. When I saw what they wee doing I started dloing it too. SO I was potty trained full by 11-12 months old. Don't worry some kids are fsst some aren't.
Just think of what you'll save in diapers and stress in a year when ou woul dhave to potty train again. Two birds, one stone and all that.
Good luck!

I don't know what to tell you about your 4 year old, but your almost 2 year old sounds like he is ready! I would encourage him to do it. And be excited! Of course he won't be warped from training early. This is a great age to do it. He'll probably back peddal once or twice, but keep it up. It's great that he wants to do it now! My mom tells me I was trained by 18 months. As for you other son, we had a boy with downs syndrome at the daycare where I worked for many years, and it took him quite a while to train, but we just made sure we took him to the bathroom to sit for a little while very frequently and praised and praised him when he went. Now he does it all by himself, and very well. So I would just try it and see how he does. Good luck :)

When my now 30 year old daughter was 2, I started her on potty training with a method using a kitchen timer. Starting out with small increments of time, say every 30 minutes, after a few days extending the time to 45, 60, 90 minutes. Every time the timer goes off it's time to go to the bathroom. Rewarding the behavior of obeying the timer and using the bathroom, regardless of whether the child goes or not.
At the time my daughter was in pre-school and they helped me with this, training the whole class at the same time.
I can't remember the name of the book I read about this method, but it was a successful plan. Potty training took place very quickly, with the timer being the "control", helping bladder control for longer increments. You may want to look for the book, which is about 30 years old. I don't know if it's been re-printed.
Also, in such a diverse family, younger children enjoy learning from their older siblings, especially 2 to 3 year olds. Incorporating big brother into helping potty train your 4 1/2 year old and the 22 month (he seems ready) at the same time could be a bonus.

Alicia H.
Mother of 2 adult daughters that were potty trained thru different methods. The timer method by far was the best.

First I have to say how much I admire you from one mom with a special needs child to another. Children are such a joy but there is something special about our special one's.

I started potty training my oldest son when he was 20 months old. He did just great. My mother-in-law tells me that my wonderful husband was trained at 17 months old. I don't think it will hurt him at all. My middle son decided when it was time for him. He came to me one day and told me he was wet so lets get big boy underwear. We went right out and got them. He never had an accident. Of course he was almost 3.

Also I have a wonderful niece who will be 17 this month. She has Williamson Syndrome. We were told she would never live past 3 if she did she wouldn't walk talk be able to feed herself or be potty trained. She can say about 10 words feed herself finger foods a sippy cup she has walked since she was 6 years old and in the last 1 1/2 years if you ask her and lead her to the bathroom she will let you know she has to go. I hope you have the luck with your special boy as I have had with my son and our incredible niece.

my 2 yr old wanted to potty train with his 4 yr old brother. the younger one was totally into it and even got very possessive of the toilet for a time. at first he would sit there for the longest time and wanted to use the toilet very often. he would throw a huge fit if someone else used the toilet when he had wanted it. it tested my patience, that's for sure, but i kept reminding myself that his willingness to use the toilet was a positive thing. the older one we had to push to potty train and eventually he just decided to do it on his own. i think the desire to go to preschool had something to do with it. now he is fully potty trained and his little brother uses the toilet a lot, but not completely on his own yet. but at least we use a lot fewer pullups, so i'm happy. keep trying!

Maybe they can help train eachother. I wouldn't push it but offer it if interested.
C. B

No advice for your older son, but I wouldn't worry about scarring your younger son with early potty learning. If he is interested, than he is ready to learn. He might not be ready to COMPLETE potty learning, but he's definitely ready to start. My oldest started at 18 months, and she does great. We started putting my youngest on the potty at around 4 months. Some people call this infant potty training, and this is what is done in most of the world, especially China and India. As long as you aren't being forceful or demanding that your son potty train on your own schedule (which obviously you aren't) you and he should be just fine.

Best of luck,
S.

I can't address the issue with your older son, but early training on your one year old will NOT warp him and will actually do more harm if you tell him he can't do what Tim is doing. We started training our son a 18 months, and my niece learned even earlier. Also, keep in mind that not everyone has diapers and that in some countries parents start potty training at 2-3 months old.

It's perfectly normal for kids to want to do what their older siblings are doing in all areas. Most additional siblings will crawl, walk, run, learn the ride a bike, etc. sooner then the first one did for the soul reason that they want to be able to keep up with the older kids.

T.

M.~

I know you've gotten a lot of responses, but I hope you read just one more. My son has cerebral palsy with developmental delays, epilepsy, and more. Though he is considered "high functioning", he truly is delayed in many ways. One of his areas of delay is potty training-he is 5. When we initially started potty training, we had somewhat good luck...for a week. Then there was nothing in the world that could motivate him. He isn't cognizant enough to understand a long involved chart method, rewards that happen later in the week, etc. We have tried 4 times, with the last time being with a incontinence specialist. In the end, her advice was to wait a little longer (6 mo-1 year) before trying again...he just wasn't ready. With our 16 month old around now, I do see that there may be a reverse peer pressure to do the potty training. He seems to follower her cues on things, though when it comes to this issue, she is far from ready to be potty trained. So, a few things...the specialist told us that it's not considered "abnormal" for a child not to be potty trained until after the age of 5 (for a traditionally developing child), that with our specific set of circumstances, she'd be happy if he was done at age 7, and that peer pressure may just have to be the name of the game (or even following a younger sibling's example). OT's have explained to us that kids with cerebral palsy (or any brain damage related delays) are among the hardest to potty train. We have always had many people willing to give such thoughtful advice, meant to be helpful. However, the reality is that we (and you) are dealing with such a different set of circumstances that no potty in a day/week/whatever book or video is going to "do the trick". It will be a longer process for our special ones, with diligent, hard work, a little luck, and hopefully with the guidance of a sibling's actions...as for your younger one, I honestly can't speak of any success in this area as our son with CP was our first. His sister (our 2nd) will begin when she is ready, though I'm not expecting anything until 2 1/2-3 and then our 3rd is only 3 months old. So really, I can't speak on your younger one. Just know that on your older, it will be a process, hang in there, and good luck!

Hi M.,

I also have a special needs child, just turned 8 yrs last week. He is not potty trained. I was curious as to why the school wants to start potty training. Is it because he is showing signs of being ready to train? Can he communicate with you to let you know he needs to go? My son has about 8-9 month cognative ability, and does not speak. I once had a speech therapist tell me he needed to be potty trained because he was to old. I suggested that since she had not made progress with his speech, she could start potty train him in the hour she worked with him. She never came back again! I would ask some questions to find out why they are making this suggestion.

Also, since you have older children, I'm sure you don't need any advice on how to potty train. I think like me, you just started potty training a little later to make it less painful. I only have 6 kids, 6-16 yrs. Each of my other five kids started at a different age. I didn't start training anyone before 2 1/2 yrs. But, it was quick and painless with each of them, just days. I didn't have to buy rewards, which can start to add up by the time you get to number 6 or 7! Most mom's I speak with will say how they started at 18-20 months and then they are still not completely trained for another 10 months. So, what is the point of starting so early! Like the other moms have said, he might recress, so be prepared. But, if he doesn't, great for him!

I wanted to say how wonderful it is that you are taking care of so many children and still have time for your 4 year old's special needs. As far as potty training your littlest one. Go for it. You will not warp him. If he is telling you he is ready then let him try. I agree with everyone else that it will probably make things easier for you.

My son was completly potty trained during the day at 17 months and is now sleeping in underwear too. He is 2 years old. It reallys encourages my older kids to use the potty when they see him do it all by himself.

Good Luck

It's difficult to parent a special needs child, especially when it come to potty trainging. Most of it will be how severe his delays are. Most likely the preschool wants him potty trained so they don't have to change diapers. Observe your son at home, does he make obvious efforts at elimination? Does he sit down when he has a bowel movement? If he is aware enough of his body to know when he needs to use the potty you can certainly help him understand the process better. When he shows sign of needing to potty, take him in and put him on the toilet or the potty trainer. Also, ask the preschool if they notice him being aware of bodily functions. The MOST IMPORTANT thing to remember is that YOU are his Mom, YOU know him best. DO NOT let the school bully you into something that is simply convenient for them. Take everything at a pace that he can understand, and don't be afaid to regress him if you feel that your efforts have stalled. From one special needs mom to another, Good Luck, and they do generally grow up to be fairly irritating teenagers. My preemie twins will be 14 this may, and we so far have survived 3 different schools in the last 7 years, so I've experienced a lot. Good Luck and take your's & his time about potty training.

I'm not sure why a kid would get warped from potty training too early?? I've never heard that before. I think his age is perfectly normal for potty training. My older son was trained before he was 3. My 22 month old has been interested in sitting on the potty for a couple months now. I think it's great he wants to learn and practice! Just go with it. Good luck!

M., as far as your 22 month old goes, let him go for it. my son was peeing and pooping on the potty at 18 months- it was wonderful. unfortunately it only lasted a month and then he lost interest. if yours looses interest then so be it but if he can get it....more power to you! good luck. M.

Hi M.,

I've worked with children with autism and children with developmental delays, but I've only done potty training with the autistic children. This was in kindergarten and first grade, though many of them came to us already trained. We trained the autistic children the same way as any other child, taking them to the bathroom regularly and using incentives to get them to go. With the little girl I trained, we had one of those dolls that you fill with water so she could see it "pee" in the toilet. I often had to take a portable potty into the bathroom, because she didn't like the larger toilet and was so small that she had a hard time not slipping in at first. She would get a toy or game to play once she was finished. At first, this was just if she sat on the toilet, with or without going to the bathroom, but as she got better about it she was only rewarded if she actually went to the bathroom.

So, long story short, I'd train him as you did your other children, or as close to as possible.

As for the 22 month old, I don't see it doing any damage to learn this early. Unless he's truly ready, though, there's a good chance he will regress with it, which would be totally reasonable for a little guy that age, so be prepared for that and don't be angry with him if that's what happens. My son went through a brief stint somewhere around his second birthday where he wanted to sit on the toilet because we did, and he even was able to tell us he needed to poop and do so in the toilet (he'd always done that before, as well, if he needed to go while in the tub), but then he lost complete interet and has only now completed potty training successfully (day and night) just before his third birthday.

Good luck!

We used the "Toilet Train in Less Than a Day" with our son when he was 22 months. It worked like a charm. We actually took it a little slow and did it in 3 days. I wonder if the system would work for both. I just found and am reading a book, I think, "Potty Train Your Child in a Day" which is a party method. It wouldn't work for the little guy, but might for the older one, as long as he understands the idea of a party and gifts. Our little one has only ever had two accidents in the 2 1/2 years he's been potty trained, so I love the first method. We'll be doing it in a couple weeks with our little one about the same age.

I can't really give advice about your 4 yo but if your 22 month old is ready and it sound like he is, i'd say go with it. Some boys just learn sooner than others. I have 5 boys and they all learned at different ages.

The book "Toilet Training in Less than a Day" was written by someone who worked with developmentally delayed children. The methods were based on that work. I should think it would work with your son. It is based on Behavior Modification. Also, if your younger son wants to try by all means get him on the toilet! When a child shows they are ready it's a good time to try. Good Luck!

I am not sure what the best response regarding your 4 1/2 year old, but you may want to look into elimination communication also known as diaper free baby regarding yoru little one. I have been looking into it and they start babies on the potty as soon as you want. It can often end up with them using the potty very early. Apparently, the form of potty training the western world uses is not what much of teh country uses. Anyway, there is a ton on google about it. Good luck with whatever method you use.

If your younger son is interested encourage the interest as it is great, however boys simply sometimes take longer to understand the "urge" and all that. It won't warp him at all just don't expect him to really get the concept for a while and be patient.
I am not sure about your older boy, maybe just put him on the potty like most do with beginning potty training every hour and a half and see what happens. Is he able to understand his urge or need to go? Does he go at specific times? Can he understand what you are about to start teaching him. Some kids even with delays really are focused on visuals so maybe start a potty chart with him.

With my son who is almost four I started him right before he was three, just getting him excited about the potty, trying a few times a day, using pullups for the first few months then putting him on the potty every hour and a half for a full week, it was tiring but he got it and by his third bday was in underwear 100% and shortly after that was in them at night too.
You have your hands full indeed! KUDOS!

I'm not sure how to teach a child with developmental delays how to use the potty, but I do know that you shouldn't be freaked out about your one year old being interested in the process. The only thing about 'early' potty training that could warp him is if your reaction to his failed attempts is menacing and impatient. If he is wanting to try, let him. It will take some extra attention and EXTRA patience to listen to him and help him get to the right place, but if you can tune into his cues, you may be changing far fewer diapers in the near future. Positive encouragement, iron-clad patience and lots of love and support (for your own efforts) will be your best tools. A sticker chart might help too. Good Luck!

Pick up a book called the Baby Whisperer. It could be at your library. She has many tips on potty training, and your son will not be warped. My youngest son was potty trained around 2 years old, and it wasn't stressful or pushy in any way. He actually took it upon himself to start going to the potty while we were on vacation. We stayed in the Carri bean where there was a tile floor. All he wore were cotton unders, and after a couple accidents, he was pretty much trained. No Fuss.

My kids are the same age as yours 16-19 months, and I have 3 girls and 4 boys, my first thought is can your son walk to the bathroom himself, if not I am not sure as to how to potty train him, if he can the method would still be the same except with a lot more patients, and understanding that it will take longer then the "average" kid.....whatever that is, my kids all start potty traing right before their second b-day and are trained for daytime with-in a few weeks, if your littlest is interested then by all means give it a try, but do it on his schedule right know, let him lead you, also undestand this might just be a phase and he may decided it is to much work, if your lucky he'll love it and be potty trained by 2, good luck!!!!