Toilet training is supporting children and young people with or without a learning disability, to achieve continence. Achieving this skill is important for our mental, and physical wellbeing. Children and young people with a learning disability can find toilet training very difficult, and may need additional help with this.
What Might Help?
- Are you ready and your child ready? Choose a time when you are ready, make it fun with games and songs. Getting the right equipment is also important.
- Build Associations: putting a potty in places they might like to go for a wee or poo, changing the child’s nappy in the bathroom encourage your child to empty the contents of the nappy into the toilet and flush.
- Monitor: Recording times your child goes for wee or a poo to identify patterns, or if there are no obvious patterns encourage regular potty and toilet times, e.g. every hour and 20-30 minutes after meal times.
- Keeping things fun and using praise and rewards: Give lots of praise, and consider stickers, treats etc.
- Seek professional help: If there appears to be no progress, seek advice from your health visitor, or Community learning disability team if necessary.
Useful Clips and Stories:
Information on ERIC - UK Bowel and Bladder Charity:
Top Apps:
- Toilet Training for children
