“They won’t go to kindergarten in diapers!”…well, actually, they are.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like you're facing a unique situation with these incoming students still in diapers, and I can imagine it's a bit surprising given the usual expectations for kindergarten readiness. While it's important to recognize each child's individual needs and circumstances, it's also understandable to feel concerned about the practicalities of diapering in a kindergarten setting. Perhaps discussing strategies with the principal and parents, like establishing clear communication and routines, could help ensure a smooth transition for everyone involved. It's all about finding the best way to support these students while maintaining a positive and inclusive learning environment for the whole class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It sounds like you're facing a unique situation with these incoming students still in diapers, and I can imagine it's a bit surprising given the usual expectations for kindergarten readiness. While it's important to recognize each child's individual needs and circumstances, it's also understandable to feel concerned about the practicalities of diapering in a kindergarten setting. Perhaps discussing strategies with the principal and parents, like establishing clear communication and routines, could help ensure a smooth transition for everyone involved. It's all about finding the best way to support these students while maintaining a positive and inclusive learning environment for the whole class.

Chat GPT?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The kids probably do have anxiety. I feel for their parents. People really need to have empathy instead of disdain.

The parents probably gave them the anxiety by being terrible parents. So sorry OP. Just 10 years ago you couldn’t go to half day 3’s class in diapers.

This is it, 100%.

I have disdain for terrible parents. We all should - or this nonsense gets worse.

I do too. It’s the same parents with no behavior control, and iPad kids in restaurants with no headphones. You suck and you are ruining society for everyone!

Karma is a btch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The kids probably do have anxiety. I feel for their parents. People really need to have empathy instead of disdain.

The parents probably gave them the anxiety by being terrible parents. So sorry OP. Just 10 years ago you couldn’t go to half day 3’s class in diapers.

This is a very judgmental annd ignorant comment. Don’t worry, your kid will give you trouble and parents will judge you the same way you judge others. You will learn your lesson. You think it won’t happen? Mark my words. What goes around, comes around. No one is immune. Your time is coming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Preschool teacher here: constipation is an epidemic and such a real issue. These kids have to be on laxatives for a very long time to undo the damage. That’s why they need diapers. Not because they’re not “potty trained”

But if the parents hadn't allowed a steady diet of chicken nuggets and mac and cheese in the first place, it wouldn't have happened at all. Lazy parenting.

Lots of disgusting judgment here. You have no idea what parents are feeding their kids. You will have trouble with your kids some day. Maybe in high school they will get into drugs and alcohol, because I am going to judge you, and believe you won’t discourage this. You will be the dumb parent who says, “Well my kid is going to drink anyway so it may as well be at my house so I can monitor it.” This is the type of unlazy parent you are. Good luck to you when your kid abandons their drunk friend to catch an Uber after a night of drinking at their friend’s birthday party and that abandoned friend walks home alone, falls into a frozen stream and drowns. Then you will lie to all your friends and say your kid wasn’t with the kid who died that night to avoid repercussions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It sounds like you're facing a unique situation with these incoming students still in diapers, and I can imagine it's a bit surprising given the usual expectations for kindergarten readiness. While it's important to recognize each child's individual needs and circumstances, it's also understandable to feel concerned about the practicalities of diapering in a kindergarten setting. Perhaps discussing strategies with the principal and parents, like establishing clear communication and routines, could help ensure a smooth transition for everyone involved. It's all about finding the best way to support these students while maintaining a positive and inclusive learning environment for the whole class.

Chat GPT?

Certainly reads like Chat GPT.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m deeply concerned that the kindergarten teacher who started this thread does not understand that the three children wearing diapers that she’s talking about do, in fact, have special needs of some kind. If they are getting 504 plans, they have medical or mental health diagnoses of some kind. It’s troubling that the teacher doesn’t understand that.

Why do you assume they have special needs? Some parents just don’t want to be bothered. You’ll see it more and more.

You need documentation of a disability to get a 504 plan.

You need to post things that you actually know about. Your statement is blatantly wrong. My kid can get a 504 for having a broken leg. That’s is not a disability and no documentation needs to be provided.

But the do need a diagnosis!! In your case, the diagnosis is a broken leg.

It’s not remotely the same hurdle as getting an IEP. Some random teledoc or urgent care person could write you what you need for a 504. It’s just not remotely comparable. If the kid is truly SN, they will have an IEP.

My child was diagnosed with ASD, ADHD and anxiety by the end of elementary school (with full neuropsych exam). We hired a consultant for the IEP process. Child still didn’t get an IEP. Child in high school now. Made another attempt at getting an IEP. Special Ed representative tried to discourage us at Child Find meeting from even having child undergo evaluations, saying child wouldn’t qualify. We pushed for school to do evaluations and child ultimately qualified. Even having documented disabilities doesn’t automatically get you an IEP. If these kids haven’t even started kindergarten yet, their parents haven’t had the time to jump through a lot of hoops and they may not have an extra $5k for private evaluation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m deeply concerned that the kindergarten teacher who started this thread does not understand that the three children wearing diapers that she’s talking about do, in fact, have special needs of some kind. If they are getting 504 plans, they have medical or mental health diagnoses of some kind. It’s troubling that the teacher doesn’t understand that.

Why do you assume they have special needs? Some parents just don’t want to be bothered. You’ll see it more and more.

You need documentation of a disability to get a 504 plan.

You need to post things that you actually know about. Your statement is blatantly wrong. My kid can get a 504 for having a broken leg. That’s is not a disability and no documentation needs to be provided.

But the do need a diagnosis!! In your case, the diagnosis is a broken leg.

It’s not remotely the same hurdle as getting an IEP. Some random teledoc or urgent care person could write you what you need for a 504. It’s just not remotely comparable. If the kid is truly SN, they will have an IEP.

My child was diagnosed with ASD, ADHD and anxiety by the end of elementary school (with full neuropsych exam). We hired a consultant for the IEP process. Child still didn’t get an IEP. Child in high school now. Made another attempt at getting an IEP. Special Ed representative tried to discourage us at Child Find meeting from even having child undergo evaluations, saying child wouldn’t qualify. We pushed for school to do evaluations and child ultimately qualified. Even having documented disabilities doesn’t automatically get you an IEP. If these kids haven’t even started kindergarten yet, their parents haven’t had the time to jump through a lot of hoops and they may not have an extra $5k for private evaluation.

+1 my 5 yo has ASD. Thankfully DC did not have major issues with potty training.

Was only diagnosed with ASD after attending a $3k intensive therapy program for another issue which
led to a recommendation for a $5k private eval to get the diagnosis. None of the providers take insurance. And child will not be getting IEP
in K (we tried and also consulted advocate who said it wasn't going to happen).

The persistent claim on DCUM that all kids with disabilities are able to get IEPs in time for K or their disabilities are not real is offensive and a testament to the willful ignorance about disabilities and special ed among supposedly educated people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My siblings and I were raised in traditional cloth diapers before the advent of disposable ones. All potty-trained before age 2, according to my mom.

WTF is the issue here?

In my experience as a special Ed teacher, constipation issues seem to be common in kids with autism. There are also other factors that may make toilet training hard for kids with ASD (loud flushing, reluctance to use public bathrooms). Many more students with autism are mainstreamed now because they have average to above average intelligence and can be successful in the mainstream classroom. The schools need more staff to make this all doable.

No they don’t. Autism is not actually a reason not to work to potty train by five.

No one said kids with autism shouldn't potty train before 5. They (a special ed teacher, so someone who would know) said that toilet training can be harder for ASD kids. Meaning it could take longer. An ASD kid might start kindergarten in diapers despite working on toile training for years prior.

My kid trained at 4 after years of working on it. And among the obstacles were a seeming inability to know when peeing was urgent, a rigid refusal to interrupt an activity to use the toilet, and intense fear of using a regular toilet (as well as fear of flushing, fear of wiping, and definitely fear of using any toilet outside our house). Also severely picky eating that can cause digestive issues.

Guess what diagnosis my kid got at 6?

And you made an effort and trained your kid at 4.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have one kid with a motor disability and another with chronic constipation. I am certainly empathetic to parents but it is so ridiculous that this trend is increasing - kids with “special needs” and medical problems have always existed, and there are more treatment options, awareness, and support than ever before. It doesn’t explain why these problems are getting worse - the most likely explanation has to be parenting and changing social norms

+1 I have a child with a mild-moderate developmental disability -and he and his SN friends were ALL trained by 5. It was hard for some of us. I mean, these are kids where it’s questionable whether they’ll get a high school diploma due to cognition and behavior issues. Obviously there are physical impairments, extremely low tone, etc that affects these outcomes, but barring that I admit I’m having difficulty understanding this. As a parent of a SN child, my actual concern would be that this is actually abusing IDEA which comes back to harm SN kids and the principle of inclusion.

+100. Autism means you work really hard on the ADLs to maximize your child’s ability to be in the world and learn. Potty training is one of the key ADLs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m deeply concerned that the kindergarten teacher who started this thread does not understand that the three children wearing diapers that she’s talking about do, in fact, have special needs of some kind. If they are getting 504 plans, they have medical or mental health diagnoses of some kind. It’s troubling that the teacher doesn’t understand that.

Why do you assume they have special needs? Some parents just don’t want to be bothered. You’ll see it more and more.

You need documentation of a disability to get a 504 plan.

You need to post things that you actually know about. Your statement is blatantly wrong. My kid can get a 504 for having a broken leg. That’s is not a disability and no documentation needs to be provided.

But the do need a diagnosis!! In your case, the diagnosis is a broken leg.

It’s not remotely the same hurdle as getting an IEP. Some random teledoc or urgent care person could write you what you need for a 504. It’s just not remotely comparable. If the kid is truly SN, they will have an IEP.

My child was diagnosed with ASD, ADHD and anxiety by the end of elementary school (with full neuropsych exam). We hired a consultant for the IEP process. Child still didn’t get an IEP. Child in high school now. Made another attempt at getting an IEP. Special Ed representative tried to discourage us at Child Find meeting from even having child undergo evaluations, saying child wouldn’t qualify. We pushed for school to do evaluations and child ultimately qualified. Even having documented disabilities doesn’t automatically get you an IEP. If these kids haven’t even started kindergarten yet, their parents haven’t had the time to jump through a lot of hoops and they may not have an extra $5k for private evaluation.

+1 my 5 yo has ASD. Thankfully DC did not have major issues with potty training.

Was only diagnosed with ASD after attending a $3k intensive therapy program for another issue which
led to a recommendation for a $5k private eval to get the diagnosis. None of the providers take insurance. And child will not be getting IEP
in K (we tried and also consulted advocate who said it wasn't going to happen).

The persistent claim on DCUM that all kids with disabilities are able to get IEPs in time for K or their disabilities are not real is offensive and a testament to the willful ignorance about disabilities and special ed among supposedly educated people.

SN mom here. If you child has focus or behavioral issues that keeps them from accessing the curriculum in K they will get an IEP. If your child is doing fine learning to read & write, doing circle time, lining up for recess, not hitting anyone or hiding under tables, they won’t get an IEP. In the DCUM crowd there are SN and there are “SN.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have one kid with a motor disability and another with chronic constipation. I am certainly empathetic to parents but it is so ridiculous that this trend is increasing - kids with “special needs” and medical problems have always existed, and there are more treatment options, awareness, and support than ever before. It doesn’t explain why these problems are getting worse - the most likely explanation has to be parenting and changing social norms

+1 I have a child with a mild-moderate developmental disability -and he and his SN friends were ALL trained by 5. It was hard for some of us. I mean, these are kids where it’s questionable whether they’ll get a high school diploma due to cognition and behavior issues. Obviously there are physical impairments, extremely low tone, etc that affects these outcomes, but barring that I admit I’m having difficulty understanding this. As a parent of a SN child, my actual concern would be that this is actually abusing IDEA which comes back to harm SN kids and the principle of inclusion.

+100. Autism means you work really hard on the ADLs to maximize your child’s ability to be in the world and learn. Potty training is one of the key ADLs.

We have no idea what the issue is with the kids in the OP. We have no idea if there is a "trend" at all. We don't know if it's ASD, or something else. One thing I am sure of is that those parents are not sitting around thinking "phew, now we don't have to bother with potty training!"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m deeply concerned that the kindergarten teacher who started this thread does not understand that the three children wearing diapers that she’s talking about do, in fact, have special needs of some kind. If they are getting 504 plans, they have medical or mental health diagnoses of some kind. It’s troubling that the teacher doesn’t understand that.

Why do you assume they have special needs? Some parents just don’t want to be bothered. You’ll see it more and more.

You need documentation of a disability to get a 504 plan.

You need to post things that you actually know about. Your statement is blatantly wrong. My kid can get a 504 for having a broken leg. That’s is not a disability and no documentation needs to be provided.

But the do need a diagnosis!! In your case, the diagnosis is a broken leg.

It’s not remotely the same hurdle as getting an IEP. Some random teledoc or urgent care person could write you what you need for a 504. It’s just not remotely comparable. If the kid is truly SN, they will have an IEP.

My child was diagnosed with ASD, ADHD and anxiety by the end of elementary school (with full neuropsych exam). We hired a consultant for the IEP process. Child still didn’t get an IEP. Child in high school now. Made another attempt at getting an IEP. Special Ed representative tried to discourage us at Child Find meeting from even having child undergo evaluations, saying child wouldn’t qualify. We pushed for school to do evaluations and child ultimately qualified. Even having documented disabilities doesn’t automatically get you an IEP. If these kids haven’t even started kindergarten yet, their parents haven’t had the time to jump through a lot of hoops and they may not have an extra $5k for private evaluation.

+1 my 5 yo has ASD. Thankfully DC did not have major issues with potty training.

Was only diagnosed with ASD after attending a $3k intensive therapy program for another issue which
led to a recommendation for a $5k private eval to get the diagnosis. None of the providers take insurance. And child will not be getting IEP
in K (we tried and also consulted advocate who said it wasn't going to happen).

The persistent claim on DCUM that all kids with disabilities are able to get IEPs in time for K or their disabilities are not real is offensive and a testament to the willful ignorance about disabilities and special ed among supposedly educated people.

SN mom here. If you child has focus or behavioral issues that keeps them from accessing the curriculum in K they will get an IEP. If your child is doing fine learning to read & write, doing circle time, lining up for recess, not hitting anyone or hiding under tables, they won’t get an IEP. In the DCUM crowd there are SN and there are “SN.”

Yes, unfortunately many "SN" moms that post on DCUM are just here to bash other parents and never got the message that not all disabilities are visible to you. Just because a child isn't bothering teachers or disrupting class does not mean they are not struggling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My siblings and I were raised in traditional cloth diapers before the advent of disposable ones. All potty-trained before age 2, according to my mom.

WTF is the issue here?

In my experience as a special Ed teacher, constipation issues seem to be common in kids with autism. There are also other factors that may make toilet training hard for kids with ASD (loud flushing, reluctance to use public bathrooms). Many more students with autism are mainstreamed now because they have average to above average intelligence and can be successful in the mainstream classroom. The schools need more staff to make this all doable.

No they don’t. Autism is not actually a reason not to work to potty train by five.

No one said kids with autism shouldn't potty train before 5. They (a special ed teacher, so someone who would know) said that toilet training can be harder for ASD kids. Meaning it could take longer. An ASD kid might start kindergarten in diapers despite working on toile training for years prior.

My kid trained at 4 after years of working on it. And among the obstacles were a seeming inability to know when peeing was urgent, a rigid refusal to interrupt an activity to use the toilet, and intense fear of using a regular toilet (as well as fear of flushing, fear of wiping, and definitely fear of using any toilet outside our house). Also severely picky eating that can cause digestive issues.

Guess what diagnosis my kid got at 6?

And you made an effort and trained your kid at 4.

And my kid has a milder form of autism and the sensory issues were easier for me to overcome than some of the traits of more complex ASD cases when it came to toilet training. Most people don't realize my kid has ASD when they meet her and our K teacher was skeptical about the diagnosis because she has no academic challenges and she uses advanced verbal skills to mask social challenges and negative behaviors. The belief that all kids with ASD who aren't toilet trained by four had parents who just failed to "power through" is BS.

The point is that when we were struggling with toilet training, no one gave us any grace or considered our child light have been tougher to train. I blamed myself a lot and bought into the idea that it was my fault. It was only after diagnosis, the summer between K and 1st, that I realized that the phobic behaviors and rigidity we had encountered were more than just a "threenager" or normal toddler resistance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who will change them? Nurse?

No. The Nurse or Health Aide will take care of the children coming in for illness and/medications.

Former health aide in VA: changing diapers is not allowed and requires special licensing. We are unable to assist with potty accidents and are no longer allowed to store extra clothes in the health offices.

NP here. Who changes the diaper then? I do not believe this should be a job that falls to teachers. But also, I have sympathy for these kids/families because no one, just no one, wants to keep paying for huge pull ups and chasing around a 5 y/o with a dirty diaper. And they must be consulting with a doctor for the 504 plan (I doubt anyone is calling up a telehealth doc for this).

So assuming the teacher doesn’t have to change the diaper, I don’t really see how a child having a diaper under their clothes in case of an accident disrupts anything (in fact a diaper seems better than sending a kid to school to have an accident).

Hopefully the kid can manage to wipe themself and put on a new one by that age. If not, the nurse could call the parents to pick them up or change them same as any health issue like spiking a fever. OP didn’t mention she has been instructed to change the child’s diaper (unless I missed that in an earlier post).

This thread is filled with a lot of nastiness toward children who are likely struggling.