Potty training is something we’ve been working on for quite some time, but lately we’ve decided it’s time to really give it our all. With kindergarten quickly approaching, we’re putting a lot more focus into helping Kay build this important life skill. Some days feel incredibly encouraging, while others remind me just how much patience this journey requires.
Potty training can be challenging for any child, but when you add Down syndrome and Type 1 diabetes into the mix, there can be a few extra hurdles along the way.
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that every child develops these skills on their own timeline. It’s so easy to compare your child to others, but I’ve had to remind myself over and over that Kay’s path is uniquely hers.
With Down syndrome, many children need a little more time when it comes to potty training. There are several reasons for this. Some children have lower muscle tone, which can make it a little harder to control their bladder or bowel movements. Others may not recognize the signals from their body that tell them they need to use the bathroom. Those internal cues can be harder to notice or harder to connect with the action of getting to the toilet in time.
For Kay, one of our biggest challenges is that she often doesn’t seem bothered if she’s wet. Sometimes she won’t even tell me she’s had an accident, which can make potty training even more difficult. If she doesn’t recognize the feeling right away or it simply doesn’t bother her, there’s less motivation to stop what she’s doing and use the toilet. It’s just one more piece of the puzzle we’re working through together.
Then there’s Type 1 diabetes.
When Kay’s blood sugar runs higher than it should, her body tries to get rid of that extra sugar through her urine. Sugar pulls water along with it, so she ends up urinating more often. As she loses more fluid, her body responds by making her feel thirstier so she can replace what she’s lost. That means on days when her blood sugar isn’t cooperating, she may need to use the bathroom much more frequently than usual. It isn’t something she can simply control. It’s her body’s way of trying to restore balance.
Trying to learn potty training while also navigating those ups and downs can definitely make things more complicated.
With kindergarten right around the corner, we’ve really been focusing on building confidence and creating consistency. Thankfully, I don’t have to do it alone. Kay has an incredible ABA team that’s helping reinforce the same routines throughout the day, and having everyone working together will be such a blessing.
We’ve stocked up on the cutest underwear, packed plenty of extra outfits for ABA, and are celebrating every success, no matter how small.
There will be accidents.
There will be outfit changes.
There will be days when it feels like we’ve made huge progress, and then the next day feels like we’ve taken several steps backward.
And that’s okay.
Progress isn’t always a straight line.
Most importantly, I’m trying to remember that potty training isn’t about meeting someone else’s timeline. It’s about helping Kay build a skill she’ll use for the rest of her life.
If you’re a parent who’s in the middle of potty training, especially if your child has Down syndrome, Type 1 diabetes, or another disability, I hope you know you’re not alone. It’s okay if it takes longer. It doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong, and it certainly doesn’t mean your child isn’t capable.
Our kids often get there on their own timeline, and when they do, all of the patience, encouragement, consistency, and persistence will have been worth it.
We’re taking it one potty trip, one sticker, and one victory at a time, and I’ll be cheering Kay on every step of the way.