Well after 1 very long year into potty training we have finally made a breakthrough! Any parent of a child with DS or even a "typical" child who is late with potty training will totally relate to our experience, I'm sure. Jaden, who has blown away so many stereotypes since arriving in this world 3-1/2 years ago has had a tough go at potty training. For over a year now, he willingly would sit on the potty and do his business be it #1 or #2, but we always had to be the one to catch him or predict when it would be coming. As most busy, working, parents will know, this is NOT EASY!!! I have read the books, received the brochures and will readily admit it is totally our fault that Jaden isn't fully trained by now, however we just haven't been able to devote 2 steady weeks to charting, diagramming, documenting and writing everything he's drank, when, where, how, with timers etc. It's definitely made me feel like a bit of a failure. My own sister-in-law who works solely with autistic children has told me 100 times, all kids can be trained in a week, as long as you stick to the plan. Well, we haven't been able to stick to any plan. And now, with summer looming in, and Jaden not being able to return to his beloved preschool and advance to the next age group until he's potty trained, I was starting to get a bit anxious and desperate. Just the thought of Jaden being in diapers much longer is very depressing to me, because I know he's ready.
Somebody must have heard my cries, because just this week, on a consistent basis, Jaden has been coming up to me and saying "Mommy, pee pee" while grabbing his pullups and trying to pull them down. So I, dutifully have been running him into the bathroom, putting him on the toilet, praising him, making him laugh, etc. and low and behold he goes! Then he flushes, washes his hands and turns out the bathroom lights, all things he loves to do. He has been initiating this at least 3 times a day now, which isn't every time he goes, however it's always for poop, and sometimes for pee! I can't tell you how ecstatic I am. I really think the pull ups have made a difference, because I think they're much more uncomfortable for him, and he wants them off as soon as they're wet. He has been going off into another room by himself FOREVER to go potty in his diapers, or even creeping into the bathroom but still going in his diapers, but not anymore! So many stereotypes with DS, but many of our kids can be trained within a typical time frame, and Jaden is truly proof of this! If I can get it done with him, anyone can, trust me! Good luck all you parents out there struggling with this, I totally understand how you feel, and it will happen, hang in there.
Well we are completely ecstatic to announce some big news with Jaden. He's been adapting fabulously at his new school, and he absolutely loves it! His Teachers are AMAZING and so loving! There are never less than 4 teachers for all 12 children. It's such a beautiful environment for him. The teachers can tell us everything he does from the minute he arrives until the minute we pick him up. They give us every detail of his day and are always so proud of him. Usually they have pictures of video of him with the other kids throughout the day. They are constantly emphasizing how he is just like all the other kids and is fitting in beautifully. He follows along with all of the activities and plays very well with the other children. The most exciting thing to report is on his potty training. His teachers can not believe that after only 2 weeks he is going to pee pee on the potty! They bring the kids to the potty throughout the day and said that Jaden is now peeing almost every time they bring him. So, we had to step up our game at home and start being consistent. Jaden has been going on the potty at home for over 6 months, it's just we haven't been consistent. He knows exactly what he's doing when we say "poo poo" or "pee pee", and he even says the words now.
The teachers told us to get on it with him at home, so we have. And wouldn't you know, it's working! We take him 5 minutes after he eats and ask him if he has to go "pee, pee", he says "yes" so we take him to the potty and he waits until his pants are down, then goes on the potty! Then we ask him if he has to go "poo poo", and he'll say "yes" or "no" or "all done". If he says "yes", he then will go poo poo on the potty! The "poo" thing is pretty easy too because he is pretty "regular" with his schedule, morning and night. This is sooo exciting! The thing that I'm most proud of is that he knows how to hold it, and he knows exactly what he's doing. Also, he likes being in control of going to the bathroom because he's really tired of his diapers. We bought him "pull ups" but won't start with those for a few more weeks. We could kick ourselves for not being this consistent many months ago, because honestly, he's been ready for this for at least 6 to 8 months! I honestly didn't know that you were supposed to take them 5 minutes after every meal and after they wake up and before they go to bed. Lyla never potty trained like this, she just "got it" over night, so to speak. We have the potty seat that goes on the toilet and the portable potty to catch him quicker. Most importantly, he's excited!
