Supporting Neurodivergent Childrens Toileting in Schools

Charmaine Champ Author

Toileting is a complex skill, requiring patience and support. This blog explores how undiagnosed childrens toileting can be impacted and shares tips.

Toileting is often thought to be a skill young children master by a certain age, but in reality, its a collection of many different skills. Recognising wee and poo sensations, understanding what to do, and feeling confident in the process all take time, practice and support. For neurodivergent children, this process can be even more complex, influenced by sensory processing differences, anxiety or the way information is processed or interpreted. A diagnosis isn't always made at birth: children may be diagnosed as autistic, ADHD, Dsypraxia or another diagnosis which influences how a child's brain works differently at any point in their life. These diagnoses, or the absence of one (before diagnosis), can significantly impact a child's ability to develop skills, including toileting. However, with tailored support, every child can make progress, in a way that right for the individual child. That's why I've developed a step by step approach to empower schools and families to create consistent and supportive environments for toileting success.

Teachers play a crucial role in supporting children with toileting, especially in busy classrooms. I deeply empathize with the challenges they face, balancing the needs of many children while managing the demands of a dynamic school day. Toileting difficulties often go unnoticed because children may mask their struggles, avoiding the toilet or holding in wee and poo due to anxiety, sensory sensitivities or inconsistent routines. This can lead to physical discomfort and emotional dysregulation, impacting a child's ability to focus and learn. By equipping teachers with simple strategies and fostering collaboration between home and school, we can provide the understanding and consistency children need to feel safe and supported, reducing stress for everyone involved.

Top Tip: Helping you as a family and school

If your child or a child your supporting in school is experiencing wee or poo accidents or struggling with toileting, start by identifying their patterns. Look at when and what they eat, drink and toilet, as well as their emotional responses to these moments. These patterns can reveal what might be making toileting tricky. Remember, children develop at their own pace, and needing extra help with one of the many skills involved in toileting is perfectly ok. With empathy, patience and small, consistent steps, we can make a big difference for children, their families and the teachers who support them. 

How can Clear Steps Consultancy help your neurodivergent child with with toileting?

Charmaine, at Clear Steps Consultancy supports children with and without a diagnosis, additional needs, their families, schools, organisations, charities and professionals in progressing and being successful with Toileting, Gut Health, Sleeping and Understanding Behaviour.  Support available to help children with their toileting, is as individual as the children, families and schools themselves, from online group support, ongoing support, one to one Parenting Support Packages to In Depth Comprehensive assessment Packages.

Help and support is available!

To help identify your child or the child your supporting's patterns, feel free to download Where to start in getting the PEE & Poo in the loo!

Helping your child to progress with their toileting today! 

Categories: : ADHD, Autism, children with additional needs, Neurodivergent, Toileting, Toileting in Schools, Toileting skills, School Support, School Toilets, Wee accidents, poo accidents, With holding