My Son had a stroke in-utero, not sure when exactly, but I believe it was in the last trimester. He is almost 3 and will be starting preschool this fall. We're going to start potty training soon, any Mama's out there with experience doing this? His right side is the affected side, and it's pretty mild, but he's still unable to pull his pants up and down by himself. Thank you!!!
** I feel like some of you have missed the point of my question, it's in regards to potty training, and if any of you have had experience potty training a child who has suffered a stroke in-utero or when they were an infant. My son is almost 3, we have been doing OT since 6 months and PT since 1 year, he doesn't need speech as of yet, and has a very mild form of Cerebral Palsy as a result of suffering from a stroke. I'm just looking for any tips any other Moms have tried to help assist with the potty training part of raising a child who has suffered a stroke. Thank you!
I don't know any 3 yr olds that are great with pulling their pants up and down.
Hi M., I have no personal experience with this, but in case you haven't thought of it, I googled "neonatal stroke support groups" and a zillion things came up that might help you.
Best to you, enjoy your little fella.
:)
M., what help does your ped give you? Support group info? PT and OT? Does he have speech issues as well?
You need to avail yourself of all of this. A pediatric neurologist will help you, too.
The earlier you address this, the more chance he has for normalcy as an adult. Please don't wait. It's important.
My son is a Starlight child (Starlight Fdtn). One time we were at an event and there was a small child there. He had some type of spinal issue where he could not use one side of his body. It was very encouraging though how his mom helped him to use the other side. He would get really frustrated. We were talking about kids in general and how quickly they grow up. She was potty training and said there he does great and lets her know when he has to go. But he could not dress himself yet. She stayed with him while he went, cleaned himself and then she helped him get dressed. Then he would hop into his chair or stroller and they would go wherever. He was out of diapers when we met.
You might want to ask the therapists or your doctor if they have any other patients with similar issues and if they could see if they would talk to you. It couldn't hurt.
When my oldest was 4, there was a couple with a 1 yr old with the same bleeding disorder. We were asked if we minded if we talked with them. W talked for about 2 hours about ports and handling things with a little one.
Hi my dad did also. Through her ped we got hooked up w physical therapy. It was an early intervention program and was free. The therapists came to my house and play ed games w her. Ask about a tape like athletes use to support the muscles. Wheelbarrow walk him to get the whole body strong. Goodluck
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Hi my dad did also. Through her ped we got hooked up w physical therapy. It was an early intervention program and was free. The therapists came to my house and play ed games w her. Ask about a tape like athletes use to support the muscles. Wheelbarrow walk him to get the whole body strong. Goodluck
My three year old still struggles with getting his pants up all the way. Poor guy tries to get the pants up before the undies and ends up waddling in and needing some assistance. Just try out different types of pants/undies and see what is easiest for your little guy, we do mainly elastic waistbands. And just like all kids, don't expect him to get it right away. You have lots of resources, what does the OT say about potty training? I know for the adults I have taken care of (I'm a nurse) that have suffered strokes there are many assistive devices they can use to dress themselves and maintain independence, perhaps they make pediatric versions?
For what it is worth, I would look for as many elastic waist pants you can find - even if he had no other troubles, easy on/off is going to make life easier. Good luck!
