What is continence?
Continence is the ability to control your bladder and bowel.
Being toilet trained is the ability to recognize the need to use the toilet, and act upon this independently.
Timed toileting can include checking in with your child at set times during the day to help them develop their continence skills.Â
Why is toilet training sometimes so tricky?
Continence is a difficult skill to master. There are over 30 steps your child needs to learn to achieve independent toileting!
There are a number of factors that can make toilet training very difficult. These include:
Constipation
Overactive bladder
Restricted diet
Food allergies / intolerance
Differences in muscle tone
Difficulties with interoceptive awareness (the ability to recognize what is happening with your body)
Fear / anxiety around toileting
Specific diagnoses, including
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Global Developmental Delay (GDD)
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)
Anxiety
Down Syndrome
Cerebral Palsy (CP)
Genetic disorders