It is a well-accepted practice to teach children with special needs is through the use of visual aids. The website below provides a great benefit for parents - a FREE down-loadable toilet training visual aid pack.
Visual Aids for learning is a company that develops images to streamline and support learning; empowering people to participate and achieve success and independence.
Many, many, children can benefit from learning through visual aids, including:
• Down Syndrome; • Autism Spectrum Disorder; • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; • Language disorders and delays; • Hearing impairment; • Developmental delay; • Oppositional Defiant Disorder; • English as a second language
This company provides these services at NO CHARGE and provide an invaluable service to the community. They apparently only generate income through the advertising on their site…so visit often and click those ads!
Key points to take away after reading this author’s advice:
1. Use a schedule. Find out how often the child needs to urinate or poop, and then take them to the toilet twice as often. (For example, if they go every two hours, take them to the toilet every one hour.)
2. Teach a physical sign for the child to be able to use to demonstrate the need to use the bathroom. (For example, have the child tap their nose.) Use this in conjunction with verbal communication.
3. Make it fun, yet have the child participate in clean-up of accidents. This is a key concept that I also teach in The Potty Boot Camp. (Actions have consequences.)
4. Let the child help make the decision to train. If they are very resistant, wait a while before commencing the learning process.
Potty training for children with Down’s syndrome can be challenging. Parents of these sweet children are often stumped about when to begin training.
Below are some general guidelines about when to start the training process with intellectually disabled children. (Taken from the website ‘Down Syndrome and Beyond’ at http://www.cdadc.com/ )
If the child’s IQ is 70, start training at age 3
If the child’s IQ is 50, start training at age 4
For far more information about toilet training children with disabilities, please visit the Down Syndrome and Beyond page on toilet training at http://www.cdadc.com/ds/potty_training.htm .
I am certainly no expert on this topic but the authors of this website certainly have extensive knowledge, tips, and advice. Their experience seems to be from first-hand knowledge - they are also raising a child with Down’s Syndrome. Check it out!
