Hi there linplus2:
My son Jacob was not interested in toilet training at all at that age. He is 10 years old now, and we are just starting to get some results. (I'm sorry, I don't want to discourage you and I hope Trevor makes the leap much sooner.) I did have it written into his IEP 2 years ago so they could work on it at school. He stays dry more frequently now, but does not ask for the toilet, we just have to sit him on there at certain times of the day and hope to get lucky. Still not much luck with BM's though. I also have a fear of his not training at all. It makes it difficult to find summer camps or even someone to care for him for respite. See if you can get some help through school developing a program of sitting him every few hours. (maybe you've already tried this)
Jacob is also difficult with the teeh brushing. I also had this put into his IEP and when they began doing it regularly at school, probably about age 7 , he began to get more willing to let me brush. He still doesn't brush himself but he will let me do it. He just had his first cleaning and check up without sedation and the dentist made such a big deal about it... he was very proud of himself.
Regarding the teeth grinding. This is probably one of the most frustrating areas. I did buy Jacob some chewy necklaces which help sometimes. You can get them at Abilitations (I believe they have a website) and they are called "chewlery". (800*850*8602). I use them mostly to try to get him to stop chewing his shirts!
Good luck. I know it is all so frustrating. One day at a time!
Renee
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, April 10, 2007 3:17 AM
Subject: [pws-autism] RE: Potty Training Help/Bruxism
Hi and Happy Spring Everyone!
I am posting to see if anyone has any helpful suggestions for me
regarding potty training and bruxism:
Trevor is still in diapers at age 5 with absolutely no body awareness
or desire to get out of them. He seems to totally understand the
concept of the toilet and its purpose, but he is not bothered by wet
diapers or bowel movements in his pants at all.
I feel like I have tried every potty book and video. I continue to
ask him to go to the toilet, but he just sits, plays, reads, looks at
his potty story board on the wall...Then gets up and signs for a
diaper again. He flushes the potty and washes his hands, but NOTHING.
UGH! I am worried that I will be changing his diapers at age 15 or 20
and on! Does anyone else have this problem or suggestions?
Also, he is grinding his teeth constantly and will not brush his
teeth at all. He started grinding to self-soothe on ocassion, usually
at night when he was going to sleep. Now it is around the clock and
he is ruining his tooth enamel. He has to be sedated for teeth
cleanings because the plaque is so bad around his gum line. I am
afraid he will lose all his teeth. I am trying to get him to use a
chewy tube as a replacement, but he hates it. I que him to stop when
I hear him grinding his teeth and try to use TMJ release massage to
give him input. He briefly stops the bruxism then starts again in a
few moments 24/7.
With the brushing, I have tried electric tooth brusshes and regular
ones of many styles. Trevor has a strong aversion to soft, mushy
textures, so he will not use toothpastes of any kind. Ocassionally, I
can get him to let me put a wet-bristled tooth brush just with water
in his mouth, but I cannot get him to open up his mouth and let me
brush his teeth well. He generally chews on the brush, then throws it
on the floor in a few moments.
I use modeling, reward systems, picture cards and all sorts of games
with him. Nothing seems to help in either instance of toilet-training
or tooth-brushing/grinding problems. He does not seem to catch on in
the way I had hoped by now. Any shared experiences or tips would be
greatly appreciated. Sometimes I wonder if I should just let it be...
Eager to hear your replies and thanks!:)
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