Toilet Training in Children with ADHD

The issue of when and how to begin toilet training can be particularly challenging for parents of children whose children are suffering from disorders like ADHD. While no parent wants to push an already mentally challenged child to perform in ways that are impossible for them, the sense of accomplishment experienced when he does succeed in this important aspect of self-care can make an enormous difference in his level of self-esteem.

Perhaps more than other parents, those who have children with physical, intellectual, or developmental disabilities can appreciate the toilet-training process as a way to follow a child’s overall growth. Rather than focusing on their child’s mistakes, which are inevitable, they can use this opportunity to discover how he learns the best and to demonstrate the ways to progress further. 

Children with ADHD may struggle with toilet training more than children without special needs due to their lack of self-control. Most kids with special needs are ready to start training between 24 and 36 months of age, but kids with ADHD are often ready later than most kids. If you try to force a child to train before he is ready, it can make the process especially difficult and long. 

Toilet training is more effective if parents of children with special needs have access to the proper guidance, instruction, and encouragement of their paediatrician, and other trained professionals, for assisting their children. The first step you must take is to look at whether your child is ready to begin. Success at toilet training is a significant milestone for every child and his or her family Especially for the ones who look after them. Succeeding at toilet training is just as important for children with developmental disabilities and their families; however, these children may need specific training methods and a different time frame to achieve the desired goal.

Once in the bathroom, the child needs the motor skills to pull pants down and climb up and sit comfortably and securely on the toilet seat. The ability to relax while sitting is also essential. For this reason, one of the first things we ask all children to do when teaching them to use the toilet is to practice the sitting method; the goal is to master the essential skill of relaxing while sitting. Typically, sit–down times takes around 30 minutes after meals, to take advantage of the gastrocolic reflex. 

When ADHD symptoms contribute to a child’s difficulty with toilet training, a wristwatch that beeps at timed intervals can serve as a reminder to stop an activity for a bathroom visit. The beep may also extricate parents from what may be one of the numbers of power struggles, now the reminder to go comes from the watch and not the parent. 

In the next step, The child now needs to empty the bladder or evacuate the stool. Stool evacuation requires constant pushing. A child can use the simple biofeedback mechanism of placing one hand on the lower abdomen while blowing and feeling the abdomen protrude as a sign of a successful Valsalva manoeuvre. Pretending to blow out birthday candles or other party blow toys are additional options. Wiping comes next, a skill that requires fine motor skills and proper coordination and hand strength. Getting off the toilet, pulling up underwear and pants, flushing, and hand washing comes next to complete the sequence.

However, the methods used to train children with disabilities take into account the true limitations, sensitivities, interests, and learning rates specific to the disorder involved. Each diagnosis has its own unique set of considerations, both strengths and weaknesses, that must be kept in mind when working with affected children.