Skip to content

Bathroom Urgency & Frequent Accidents

- Going to the toilet is an activity everyone will do numerous times a day.

- We feel an urge and go.

- Interestingly the ability to know when it is time to go to the bathroom relies on the sensory feedback to the brain from the bladder or intestines.

- The sensory urge to go the toilet comes from the interceptors in the gut.

- If a child under registers sensory information, it is possible that he/she could also under register sensory information from the gut.

 

Ideas to Help:

- Understand that there may indeed be a sensory explanation for this. Do not discipline a child who truly may not be having the sensation of needing to go until it is too late.

- There may be medical reasons for frequent toilet accidents, and it is important to rule this out with your pediatrician.

- Ensure that all teachers and all caregivers are aware of this sensory explanation.

- Sensory Processing and registration must occur in order for toilet accidents to decrease or be eliminated.

- Providing overall enriched sensory activities throughout the day can help in the long run. Daily frequent sensory activities is very important.

- Focus on proprioceptive activities to promote overall body awareness.

- Try not to place expectations on the child in regards to a certain age in which the child will be fully potty trained. It is not uncommon for children with sensory difficulties to fully potty train after age 5.

- If the toilet accidents are occurring at night, even more developmental time may be needed, especially for boys. This is not uncommon through at least age 6.

 

Back to Blog
Previous article Ideas for Kids Who Seek Oral Input
Next article Child Loses Attention when Seated for Prolonged Periods