Potty Time for Kids With Down Syndrome: Lose the Diapers, Not Your Patience

Potty Time for Kids with Down Syndrome: Lose the Diapers, Not Your Patience offers the specialized guidance needed for you and your child to be successful! Drawing on their years of experience working with and toilet training children with Down syndrome, authors Terry Katz and Lina Patel have created a customizable method based on a thorough understanding of how the behaviors of children with Down syndrome are affected by their neurodevelopment. For instance, the low muscle tone common in children with Down syndrome can affect bladder and bowel control. Or a child may be motivated to continue using a diaper because he enjoys the social interaction while being changed. The book?s empathetic and encouraging tone coupled with its positive behavior-based strategies geared specifically to children with Down syndrome will help parents avoid typical challenges. It covers: medical and physical issues; behavioral and cognitive challenges: collecting data to inform your training plan; getting your bathroom ready; when to switch from diapers to underwear; helpful supports; working with the school team; using public toilets; behavior principles; trip/schedule training; proactive strategies to increase success; handling accidents and bedwetting; desensitization for children who are anxious; teaching bathroom skills; considerations for when autism is present; special challenges. Readers will find a wealth of helpful planning and tracking forms, examples of visual supports, and lists of training products and resources. Using the effective potty-training strategies described in the book, parents and other caregivers can help children achieve this important milestone toward greater independence.