----- Original Message -----

From: linplus2

To: pws-autism@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 10:38 AM

Subject: [pws-autism] Re: Potty Training Help/Bruxism

Thanks Renee:

I do not have Trevor in a school program. I am planning on home
schooling both the children. We have been on a list for respite help
here for over 4 years and no adequate services are available for in-
home support here. With Jacob, did they just sit with him on the
toilet for a few hours each day at school? Maybe I could try to do
that here and use it as book story time for the children!

At least I know now that this might take some time. I was getting
worried that I was doing something wrong because Trevor is 5 already.
I thought he would have been out of diapers long ago...

Was it scary to have Jacob sedated for dental cleanings? Trevor is
going to have his first after may sometime and I am very nervous
about it. I guess I do not really know what to expect. He absolutely
needs his teeth cleaned or he will lose them. I had hoped there was a
mouth rinse or something to encourage brushing...

Most of our daily lives are very happy, but it seems the basic life
skills things that most of us take for granted are the most
challenging areas for our little family. It has made me so
appreciative and aware of small things!

Thank you for dhsing your thoughts and experiences with me. I
appreciate it immensely.

--- In pws-autism@yahoogroups.com, "renee brogan" <reneebro@...>
wrote:
>
> 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 -----
> From: linplus2
> To: pws-autism@yahoogroups.com
> 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!:)
>