Specialist in Toileting Issues for 3yo with SPD

[Anonymous]

My son's a bit over 3 and has been in OT for a couple of months for some Sensory Processing issues (mostly self-regulation and body awareness). He's been doing much better with peeing in the potty and is even starting to do well at night.

On the other hand, he is completely unwilling to try #2 on the potty. He usually tells us when he needs to go and requests a pull up. After consulting with our ped, we decided to try the cold turkey route and told him it was the potty or his pants. We've been able to get him to go a couple of times on the potty thanks to miralax and basically holding him down on the potty, but I don't know if this is sustainable and could possibly traumatize him. Does anyone know a good OT or other professional who could help us address this?

[Anonymous]

We didn't use a specialist but our oldest also has SPD and did great for #1 but by 3.5 refused for #2. He had his routine of asking for a diaper, asking for privacy and standing in specific spot and going standing up. I think he was scared to sit down or was just comfortable in his routine. I found some great tips online, and this is what helped us -- I got him a very desirable book (open flaps) that was kept in the bathroom and only allowed for when he sat for #2. Then I said he could keep the diaper on but has to try going sitting down on the toilet, with the diaper fully on. We did that a few times and he got to sit and read the special book. Then I was supposed to cut a hole in the diaper that would get gradually bigger, then the next week take off one tab of the diaper, then the other, and on and on, until the diaper gradually came off and he'd just go in the toilet. But after about the second day of sitting he said, "Just take it off."

It was really good for him to prepare, discuss this, go through the plan, act it out, watch the Daniel Tiger potty episode, etc. BEFORE he had to go so he was very well prepared when the time came.

[Anonymous]

Read the Kandinsky method. Don't make ultimatums or hold him down on the toilet.

Have him wear underwear. Make a picture schedule and give little rewards/praise for sitting on the toilet whether he does anything or not.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, there are plenty of kids who aren't doing #2 in the potty when they just turn 3. My DD had some anxiety/constipation issues and would use the toilet for pee but would ask for a pull up for #2. Her pediatrician told us don't pressure her and we didn't. We gradually started a process of (1) making her ask for a pull-up for pooping; (2) making her stand in the bathroom for pooping; (3) making her sit on the toilet in the pull up; (4) cutting a hole out of the bottom of the pull up; (5) removing the pull up entirely. We spent 1-2 months in each phase.

[Anonymous]

We had the same struggle with my DS who has sensory issues and also some motor delays. He was fully trained and wore underwear but wouid request pull-up for #2. We started by telling him he could have pull-up but had to be in bathroom to do it. That got him accustomed to being in the correct room for it. We ultimately had to work with his OT on a plan. She devised a sticker reward chart and small reward (that she would give him at nxt session) for success on the potty. For 9-months we tried our own reward system with big ticket gift and it never worked. It took someone outside the family to give him the motivation. I would talk w your OT.

[Anonymous]

We did the favorite candy as a reward for pooping in the potty..It worked wonders for us..my kid used to constantly ask to go potty, sit on it and do nothing - this was just for the candy and although annoying, it helped her learn to sit on the potty without fear after 2 weeks..I had to hold her hand or she would put her hands around my legs to hold on...after she got through the fear I gave her candy only when she actually pooped..The reward stickers we tried first didn't work for us..Its all about what motivates the child..She was trained in under a month for poop..

[Anonymous]

PP here..we stuck with the pullups..we didn't have to cutout anything - she used to pull it down herself, sit on potty and hold onto my leg and then poop..age was 3 1/2..there comes a time when they start feeling uncomfortable with poop on their butts and are actually ready to be trained..

[Anonymous]

My son has spd especially with respect to #2. we tried bribes, treats, rewards etc. Nothing worked. Finally, I read about another method. I can't take any credit because I was working at the time, but my mom helped and stayed with him at our house in the summer. He would go commando everyday with the potty seats nearby. so, he could play and then get up to potty. lots of praise for success. then in the Fall he was helped at preschool by wearing pull-ups and frequent group trips to the bathroom. However, he did develop a penchant for running around naked.