Selfcare

Learning independence with toileting is a milestone in any child’s life. Parents are always eager for their children to be able to take themselves to the toilet and have no accidents during the day or at night. Being able to toilet independently has many benefits for both child, parent and family life.

Learning to toilet involves the development of physical control over bladder and bowel function. It also requires the development of motor skills, language and social understanding. Toileting routines include learning to follow body signals; sit / stand; aim; pull clothing up/down; wipe; wash hands and tidy up as necessary. Hygiene management skills are extended further as adolescence occurs.

Toilet training is rarely a smooth process for any child and requires patience and persistence. For some children with developmental delay it can be expected that toilet training may be a longer and slower process. For children with specialised physical or developmental needs, adaptations to the toilet, toileting environment and toileting process may be required. Occupational Therapists are trained to assess the child and environment for specialised modifications and equipment.

Bedwetting is often a primary concern for parents of older children due to limitations it can place on children’s socialisation and attendance at school camps. Night time bladder control usually develops after day time dryness is achieved. The development of night time continence is related to the child’s bladder capacity and maturation of their sleep cycle. Bedwetting is common after the age of 5 years and often has a family history and hormonal influence on its development. Bedwetting is more common in boys than girls.

Our skilled team can provide information and strategies to assist you and your child to identify when they are ready to be toilet trained; manage the toileting process and develop supports to promote toileting routines. If you have any medical concerns related to the toileting process, child constipation or how your child uses their bladder or bowels please seek attention from your GP, CAFHS nurse or Continence Advisor.

Useful Information Links

https://childdevelopment.com.au/areas-of-concern/self-care/self-care-skills/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CAzbrEis4Y

https://www.continence.org.au/news.php/257/toilet-training-a-matter-of-time

http://www.toilettime.com.au/index.php

Everyday tasks of cleaning teeth, dressing, brushing hair and organising self to be ready for the day often require explicit teaching. Body care routines are some of the earliest routines and skills that children learn and build upon as they grow. Being independent in caring for ourselves has many benefits for both child, parent and family life. Some children are independent in these tasks at 5-6 years of age, others require assistance for longer and at different times in their life may need greater or lesser help or reminding. Undertaking these tasks requires motor coordination; planning; fine motor skills; motivation; understanding of language and social expectations.

For some children with developmental delay it can be expected that developing selfcare skills may be a longer and slower process. For children with specialised physical or developmental needs, adaptations to the bathroom; clothing; routines; selfcare environments and organisation of the selfcare process may be required.

Our skilled team can provide information and strategies to assist you and your child to identify concerns with selfcare skills; learn new ways to teach these skills and develop strategies and supports to assist your child to be more independent.

Useful Information Links

https://raisingchildren.net.au/babies/health-daily-care/dental-care/brushing-teeth

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/toothbrushing-children

Sleep is a natural but complex process. It is an essential part of everyone’s daily routine. Sleep like diet and exercise, helps us to grow, stay healthy and to fight off illness. There is great variation in the hours of sleep an individual child requires each night and the amount of sleep required decreases with age. A new born body requires more sleep and assistance to sleep than a teenager. Body neurochemicals; bedtime routines; light levels; activity levels; noise levels; sleep environment; style of bed; family routines; child sensitivities and food intake all impact on sleep. Many parents report difficulties with their child’s sleep settling and patterns.

For some children with developmental delay it can be expected that establishing and maintaining sleep patterns may be a longer and slower process. For children with specialised physical or developmental needs, adaptations to the sleep setting may be required.

Our skilled team can provide information and strategies to assist you and your child to identify appropriate sleep requirements for their age; strategies to assist development of settling; sleep environments and sleep routines. At 1 Stop Occupational Therapists are trained in a specialised sleep assessment and training program called SleepWise. This program is offered in a group format depending upon demand. If you have any medical concerns related to your child’s sleep, such as breathing issues or continued wakefulness please seek attention from your GP, CAFHS nurse or Paediatrician.

Useful Information Links

https://www.sleepfoundation.org/articles/children-and-sleep

https://raisingchildren.net.au/school-age/sleep