Almost 5 and not yet Toilet Trained girl

[StaceyKramer]

I have a daughter who will be 5 in August. She had infantile Spasms at 7 months old and is currently on no meds and slightly delayed (6 mo to a year behind). She loves to sit on the potty but has never gone. We will sit and look at books for 15-20 min. with no success. She never tells us she has to go and she doesn't mind being wet or soiled. Her younger sis is trained at (2.5 yrs) and no she is refusing to wear pull ups anymore. But we think there is something wrong - like she isn't making the connection to go potty. I think she knows her body is doing something, but she doesn't know what to do about it. We are completely frustrated and so is she. She wants so bad to be a "big" girl and use the potty, but it almost seems like she can't. Should we keep working at it or have her examined for possible problems. She also has ADHD tendencies, but the doc won't offically diagnose her because she is too young. HELP!

Stacey

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

While almost all problems with toilet training have no physical basis, sometimes they do. Because of the developmental delay and history of central nervous system involvement, I would suggest medical follow-up. Check with your pediatrician, and see if he/she thinks it is reasonable to do so. Almost all children are trained by kindergarten age, so your daughter is certainly at the very late end of the spectrum, but because of her developmental delay you might expect her to be trained somewhat late. But it's probably not wise to simply wait and see.

[colep_2003]

She isnt making the connection...or possibly, She isnt ready, she could have a physical bladder problem such as her Bladder still weak...i would hold off for a couple of months unless she is in school.  if you can get her trained for day before she starts school, maybe work on nights slowly...

[alaaron]

Sometimes it is beneficial to let her pee her pants.  Encourage her to do this regularly.