Toileting Support
Is your child having difficulty mastering toileting skills? Do they have a history of cognitive, developmental, or physical needs that may impact toileting independence? Although this can be a developmental milestone that many children meet, it may be delayed and can be a challenge for parents to know how to navigate!
Occupational therapists play a crucial role in enhancing toileting independence through a holistic and individualized approach, combining practical strategies, adaptive equipment, and caregiver support to meet each child’s unique needs.
Assessment:
- Functional Assessment: Evaluating the child’s current level of independence in toileting, identifying developmental, physical, cognitive, and environmental barriers.
- Environmental Assessment: Assessing the bathroom setup for safety, accessibility, meeting the child’s sensory needs and equipment support if needed.
Therapeutic Intervention:
Individualized Plans
- Personalized Toileting Plan: Develop a tailored plan based on the individual’s needs, abilities, and goals.
- Routine Establishment: Helping to establish a consistent toileting routine to promote regular habits and predictability.
Skills Training
- Physical Skills
- Cognitive Skills
- Motor Skills
- Interoceptive Skills (understanding how their body is feeling and recognizing those important cues)
Adaptive Equipment
- Recommendation and Training: Establishing appropriate tools and resources for each child. Providing training on the use of adaptive equipment such as raised toilet seats, grab bars, toilet frames.
- Customization: Customizing equipment to fit each child’s specific needs and ensure maximum comfort and safety.
Environmental Modifications
- Bathroom Accessibility: Modifying the bathroom to improve accessibility, such as installing grab bars, non-slip mats, or adjusting the height of the toilet.
- Home Modifications: Making broader home modifications if needed, to make the washroom accessible within the home.
Behavioural Strategies
- Positive Reinforcement: Using positive reinforcement to encouraging successful toileting skills and routines.
- Prompting and Cueing: Implementing prompts and cues to remind individuals to use the toilet at regular intervals.
Sensory Strategies
- Sensory Processing: Establishing and supporting sensory sensitivities or preferences that may impact toileting (ie: such as the feel of toilet paper or the sound of flushing).
- Calming Techniques: Incorporating calming techniques for kiddos who experience anxiety related to toileting routines and environments.
Caregiver Education
- Training Caregivers: Providing supportive education to caregivers on how to assist with sensory needs, development of skills, toileting tasks, using any adaptive equipment that may be needed and implement toileting routines.
- Support and Resources: Providing resources and ongoing support to caregivers to help them manage and support the each child’s toileting needs effectively.