Hello all. I'm Crystal, a stay-at-home-mom to 4 kiddos. My 4 1/2 yo son has SPD (sensory modulation specifically). It's been quite the journey to say the least! He's very bright but he has delays. Our biggest problem (currently) is that he is NOT potty trained. We aren't sure how to help him. I've tried every trick I can think of and nothing. He tries very hard to keep up with his big sister (she's 6) and he's very affectionate with everyone.
Welcome Crystal! My two sons are grown, no grandkids yet. Potty training was pretty easy for us. I owe that mostly to excellent baby sitters. I worked the whole time my kids were growing up. The only potty problem we had... my oldest who appeared to have modulation difficulties (as do I), wouldn't poop on the potty. At two and a half he'd wear underpants all day but when he had to poop he insisted I put a diaper on him. We did that for a while until one day I just hugged him tight while he sat on the potty having his I-want-a-diaper meltdown. He pooped in the potty, was very surprised and releived, and never had another problem with it. I'm not sure what inspired me to do that but I was sure grateful that it worked and didn't emotionally harm him
There are many caring moms on this site. I'm sure you'll get lots of support and helpful suggestions.
Best wishes for you and your kiddos
Hi Crystal welcome! You certainly have your hands full! It's good that you know he has SPD and that's probably the main reason for his delayed potty training!
My two sons are 10 and 6 1/2. Older one is officially diagnosed (when he was 6), younger one unofficially (and more mild). My older one was delayed with all his milestones, including potty training. I had no idea about his SPD but looking back I'm sure he either didn't feel the sensation of needing to go or didn't connect the sensation and going potty. We struggled with it from 30 months to 47 months. I tried every trick I could think of. Nothing worked. He was night trained before he was day trained. After my younger son was born, I sort of gave up. I just kept bringing him to the potty throughout the day and encouraging him to use the potty--praising him when he was successful, not making a big deal when he had an accident. We went on vacation right before he turned 4, rented a condo in FL for a week. I showed him where the bathroom was just in case he needed to use it. A little later when he was playing while baby brother was napping, he hopped up and ran to the bathroom. He had a few accidents after that but for the most part he started going to the potty on his own after that week in FL. So it really wasn't anything I did (at least that I know of), he just did it when he was ready.
My younger son was easier. I waited until he was a couple weeks before 3 years old. With the help of his daycare provider, he was trained in 2-3 weeks. But he'll be 7 in September and still wears a Pull-up at night. Bed wetting runs in my family so I guess we'll just have to wait for him to grow out of it.
I remember how frustrating it was. Hang in there! Try to bring him to the potty at set times every day. Some people call it the before & after rule. Before going somewhere in the car, after you get home. Before going in the bath, before going to bed, etc. Praise him if he's successful.
Good luck!
Welcome! My daughter is almost 5 and still stuggles some with potty learning. Particularly pooping. I really think it's one of those things you have to wait for them to be ready for and accept that because they have special needs it's going to be later. My DD makes better progress when we don't make a big deal out of it.