Potty Training – Does it take longer for a child with Down Syndrome?
My son Cade is 3 1/2 years old and I’m starting to tackle potty training. Maybe I should have started earlier, but I was in uncharted waters. He’s a boy (I had had two girls previously), and he has Down Syndrome.So, why didn’t I start earlier? I think the question wasn’t whether he was ready. Rather, it was whether I was ready. I was gunshy.
I had read in a book that it could take YEARS! How was I going to handle this?
Since that time, I’ve received words of encouragement and heard stories about potty training that weren’t too far from the experiences of training a typical child to go to the potty. I know, however, it really depends on the individual child. And, whether it takes three days or three years, I’m there.
So, this weekend I’m armed with a book from our daycare. I plan to take Cade to the potty as much as possible, make it fun and see how he reacts. The next part is up to him.
Do any of you have some positive experiences with potty training boys? Any miracles? 
I would love to hear from you … just in case this venture goes south … but not in the potty. — Linda Lynn
Thank you for joining our conversation on Hiccups. We encourage your discussion but ask that you stay within the bounds of our commenting and posting policy.
Since Hunter is in Cade’s class, I know what you mean about wanting to get them potty-trained. Some of the kids in their class are already well on their way and I’m gunshy as well! I bought Hunter a potty and he’ll sit on it, but won’t go. I think it’s more of a toy for him.
One of my best friends has a boy Cade’s age. He’s potty-trained but it did take awhile. What they did was just take him to the potty every 30 minutes or so over the course of a weekend. Once he actually went in the potty a few times, he knew what it was and recognized his feeling of having to go.
I need to get Hunter started, but it is so intimidating. Let me know what works for Cade!
~Erica Smith