DDX3X
Advice, resources and practical strategies for parents and carers of children and young people with DDX3X
TOILETING
Toileting is a key part of day-to-day life for everyone. It helps us manage our physical needs, stay healthy and maintain hygiene. Learning to use the toilet helps promote independence and confidence, and having a regular routine can provide structure and predictability. Good toileting habits can support your child's social and emotional development.
Children with DDX3X may have increased sensitivity, where the coldness of the toilet seat or the sound of the toilet flushing may be overwhelming, or reduced sensitivity, where they may not feel the urge to go to the bathroom as strongly. They may also have interoception issues which means they don't notice the sensation of needing the toilet, or struggle with balance and body positioning. Here are some strategies to help with these:
ERIC Helpline
ERIC is a specialist toilet training service which provides parents and carers who have children with additional needs with advice and support.
ERIC have a free helpline that is available Monday to Thursday between the hours of 10am till 2pm. This service allows parents and carers to contact a trained advisor for any information or support you might require as well as answer any questions. Click on this link for more information: ERIC Helpline
Contact ERIC on: 0808 801 0343
Lets go potty: 3 step process by ERIC
ERIC provides toilet training advice and support for parents and carers who have children with additional needs. This includes when potty training should be started, equipment needed, how to prepare your child for potty training and strategies to encourage going on the potty.
ERIC Recommends a 3-step approach to potty training, including preparing to use the potty, practicing potty training skills, and finally stopping the use of nappies.
It is important to take each step at your child's pace and move on to the following steps once they have gained more confidence.
Step 1: Preparation
ERIC suggests that it is important to support your child in preparing for potty training and gaining body awareness through being patient and supportive. Tips to support this step may include:
- encouraging your child to be involved in the cleaning-up process where possible.
- During the cleaning-up process, talk to them so that they can develop an understanding of where the wee and poo go, how their body feels, and use positive language around toileting.
- Once your child has been to the toilet, allow them to have up to 30 minutes without a nappy on to help them adjust to how it feels to be without one.
Step 2: Practice
Once your child has gained confidence and you feel they are ready to move onto the next step start to introduce potty sits. These can be in the morning shortly after they have woken up, after mealtimes and when you feel they need to go.
Once your child starts to show more body awareness try to encourage them to pull down their own pants and then pull them back up with your support.
Helping your child to learn through play
Children often learn new skills and knowledge best through play. This is because play is a fun and meaningful way to learn. This allows them to learn at their own pace and level whilst forming connections.
An example of using play to support potty training may include:
- Making their potty their own by putting stickers of their favourite characters or stickers that spell out their name on their potty
- Playing with their favourite doll or toy and have them sitting on the toilet.
- sing a song or read a book about potty training
Step 3: stopping using nappies
Stopping using nappies can be a big milestone for any child of any age. It is important to try to make the transition as smooth as possible with positive associations and rewards, such as verbal praise, small treats and stickers.
Tips may include:
- Ensuring your child has plenty of fluids to drink
- dressing your child in clothing that is easy to get on and off
- helping your child to say goodbye to their nappies and explain they will do doing toileting on their potty.
ERIC also has a range of resources to support parents in toilet training routine including webinars, visual aids, storyboards and videos. For more information click here
For more toilet training advice and support click on the link: Potty training
Interoception awareness
This Hidden System Affects Potty Training and Toilet Accidents in Older Kids is a helpful resource for understand how or why your child may be struggling with interoception.
They may struggle to identify the internal signals from their bodies, and may need intense signals before they know what their body is feeling. For example, a child may not realise that they need the toilet until their bladder is completely full, and it may be too late and can cause an accident.
Toileting and Interoception – How to Help Struggling Children. This is another helpful resource with information on how to support your child with toileting and interoception.
Alisha from Potty Training and Toilet Problems in Kids with Sensory Issues provides some strategies to help with interoception and toileting. These include describing to your child what it feels like to need to go to the bathroom, and ask them to start noticing when they start to feel this way, or telling them when you need to go to the toilet.
Constipation is common in children who have interoception difficulties. Their awareness of these sensations often can make them afraid of going to the toilet, and withhold from doing so to avoid the discomfort and the frightening sensations.
If you are interested in learning more about interoception, you can look at Kelly Mahler's website, Kelly Mahler – Interoception Groupie and Occupational Therapist, where she provides resources you can buy to support your child to develop interoceptive awareness.
Remember the key strategies
- Creating a comfortable environment: This can be done by introducing a padded toilet seat to make it more comfortable. You can also dim lights and cancel out loud noises such as flushing by using noise cancelling headphones or playing calm music.
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Establishing a Routine: If your child uses a visual timetable, you could place a toilet symbol on it at regular times to create a pattern of going to the toilet.