How to Potty Train a Mentally Retarded Child
According to Barbara Wilson from the Rivermead Rehabilitation Centre in Oxford, England, potty training can be an important skill for mentally handicapped children to learn. Toilet training gives a child more independence and self-confidence, leading to educational and social experiences that he may not have if he cannot control his bladder and bowels. Employ proper observation, scheduling and rewarding techniques to improve your chances of success.
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Instructions
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Observe your child's potty habits for at least three days to determine his bathroom schedule. Perform wet/dry tests at least every half hour to determine how often he goes to the bathroom. Record the number of times he voids, especially when he defecates.
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Create a bathroom schedule for the child. When first training, the child should go to the bathroom twice as often as he needs to; for example, if you record that he urinates once every hour, take him to the bathroom every half hour. This will give him every chance possible to successfully use the toilet.
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Make a sign or symbol for the child that means "toilet." This will vary from child to child; it can be as simple as a picture of a toilet, or a hand gesture that the child can make. Use this symbol every time you take him to the bathroom, so that he associates it with the toilet. This will give even non-verbal handicapped children a way to tell you if they have to go.
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Ensure that the child is comfortable when sitting on the toilet. He should be able to relax, with his feet touching the ground or resting on a stool. At first, the child may be spending a long time in the bathroom before he actually goes; he should be comfortable in there.
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Provide the child with fun in the bathroom while he waits to go. Allow him to play with toys or look at a favorite book while he is there; this will make the bathroom a place that he enjoys, not one that he fears, and he will be more likely to want to return as needed.
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Praise successful toilet urination or defecation. Verbal praise, hugs and clapping can express to your child that he has done something right. If verbal and physical praise does not seem effective enough, provide small reinforcements like pieces of candy or small toys. This will encourage the child to repeat the behavior.
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Tips & Warnings
Most people will defecate at the same time each day.
If a child does not defecate within seven minutes of sitting on the toilet, allow him to leave and come back another time. Otherwise he may get bored, or think that sitting there is a form of punishment.
Do not rush your child's potty training. Many parents will be eager to have the child using the toilet on his own, but the child may not be mentally or emotionally ready for such training. A child must be able to follow basic directions and have the motor skills to remove clothing and sit on the toilet alone before training can begin.
References
- Photo Credit Toilet bowl and bidet in a toilet image by terex from Fotolia.com
