4MyChild: Help and Hope for Life

March 26, 2007

Potty Training Kids with Cerebral Palsy- Toilet Training Special Needs Children

This is a can be a big challenge for most families living with cerebral palsy. Patience is everything. Their little bodies don’t work like yours and going to the bathroom in a toilet may be something that will take awhile to master. Understanding that it may be something they have no control over may help. Mega colon is common in kids with cerebral palsy, the abdominal muscles are affected by tone issues just like the other muscles. Some medications may even be a part if the problem, some seizure medications can cause uncontrollable diarrhea. Please talk to your doctor if you think this may be a problem your child is suffering from.

One thing you can do is make sure they have plenty of physical support when you first start trying to potty train. You can get a good quality chair with lots of support at mainstream baby stores like this potty chair from Baby Bjorn almost anywhere for under 20.00.

Also try support under the legs, use a stool to support dangling legs as they get older.

If older children are often having accidents, keep record of when they are happening and see if there is a pattern. Are they happening after nap? Just before dinner? If you see a pattern then try having the child sit on potty around that time and see what happens. This can help you and your child become more in tune with their bodies.

Many children with cerebral palsy also with have sensory issues (Sensory Processing Disorder) and may not feel the urge to go to the bathroom, or even know what to do. You can help with this by doing exercise like having your child blow up a balloon on the potty and have the feeling of what it’s like to push as well as relax muscles.

If stool is hard or constipation a constant issue, many families talk with their doctors about using laxatives. Do not give your child laxatives without first discussing it with your doctor, it may react with medications or have long term effects.

Please keep trying and be consistent in your patience and support of your child. If you are feeling overwhelmed or need to talk, you can always contact our Live CareCenter Specialists for support.