United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

We were wondering if anyone has any tips/suggestions for potty training OBPI kids- especially dealing with pulling pants up/down. Our son is 2 1/2 years old LOBPI and we are running into difficulties (as many BPI kids and adults do) with self-care, especially with pulling pants on and off. Even those with loose elastic waists- his biceps is extremely weak plus his hand grip is weak. Just wondering if anyone has any tips or tricks that worked for them. His OT is working on dressing (shirt on/off, pants, socks, shoes) twice a week, but he easily gets frustrated- which I understand, he is only two afterall. I just wanted to see if there was anything I could do to help him.

These things take a while to learn. Mine was much more successful when she did these things one-handed. She was less frustrated and was more successful. Try not to pressure because 2 is still young.

2 1/2 is still real young and with the bpi I can understand his frustration. We didn't really start working on any of this until around 3 1/2. Each child is different and each injury as well. For my child there is no way he could have accomplished these things at 2 1/2. His injury was still improving and he just didn't have the interest or ability to focus enough and endure the frustrations. I would not worry right now and give him some more time. As he gets older he will start to figure out ways that work well for him.

When Juliana first was potty trained, she did everything one handed. Her affected hand and arm were just not a help at all. Over time, though the arm doesn't actually pull up, she has learned to put her affected hand on her pants. It looks like she is using two hands, when she really is not!

I remember when Juliana was 2+ and in camp a couple days a week. She had swim as the last thing of the day and the moms would help their kids get dressed. And Juliana could do NOTHING!! I mentioned to a mom I was friendly with how sad I was for her, that it looked like she just was never going to get with the program. And my friend said to wait six months...well, my friend was right!!! Six months later, Juliana was actively involved in getting dressed.

Summer is upon us, and I believe in naked potty training. Go for it! Sometimes it is a favorite shirt that encourages a kid to start getting dressed on his/her own. I know how hard it is wait...

claudia

we potty trained david in the summer my trick with him was i kept him in his bathing suit (it was very loose)and told him you cant pee in the pool and not in your suit ..it sounds funny but it worked he aslo has an older brother and he likes to be like him too...

Matthew was around 2 1/2 when he began also. We bought a lot of elastic waist pants. He learned how to pull his underwear and pants one handed and continues to do it the same way today. He uses his left to reach as far right as he can and pulls up, then he uses the left also to go as far around in the back as he can. We also left his pants off him while at home - it just made life easier until he was around 3 and could function more on his own.

Cindy