How to potty train DS when he doesn't speak?

tamaratoday

Hello,

I don't typically post on this board but was hoping you ladies could give me a little advice. I'm hoping to start potty training my almost 3 year old this weekend as he seems to be ready. (He whips his diaper off after he goes in it) My issue is that he's not much of a talker. He was diagnosed with a speech delay and went to therapy from October til just recently when school ended. He knows some signs and says a few words but sometimes it's hard to know just what he understands since he only responds if he wants to. I want to emphasize that because he can be exceptionally stubborn! Potty training my first born was easy as he was a big talker and it was easy to reason with him but I'm really not sure how to go about it for DS#2. I inteneded to keep him naked and confined to the living room with plenty of drinks and popsicles and his little potty. I've looked up the sign language for potty and I'm sure he'll understand that part eventually, it's more that I wonder how to get him to understand that he needs to tell me. Any suggestions are welcome!

BirdieToldMe

I had this same concern with my son.  He has SPD and a speech delay and we PT him when he turned three.  

I am constantly amazed and reminded of how much more DS understands than speaks.  We watched Potty Power (a cute movie from Netflix) together and then I was ridiculously excited to show him his big boy potty.  We showed him the candy that he would get if he went on the potty ... and he took to it really quickly.  I was very surprised how easy it was to PT him.  

I would talk to him as if he isn't speech delayed and make a big deal out of a sticker chart/treats and see what happens.  I did not expect it to go well for us so hopefully you'll be pleasantly surprised, too! 

Florak8

We love the "Potty Time" sign language DVD from Rachel Coleman. DS enjoys it and we have just started by putting him on the potty a lot, and getting excited whenever he tinkles. So far, so good. We are keeping it casual and "no-biggie" if he does not go.

tamaratoday

Thanks for the responses ladies. I'll check out that dvd. I tried with DS last week and it was a no go. He loved being naked and even liked sitting on his potty, but when he actually had to go, he held it. He held it for over 2.5 hours! He sprinkled a bit on the floor and I immediately directed him back to the potty but he wasn't having it at all. When I had to grab some lunch I put a diaper on him and he went right away. Then he immediately whipped the diaper off againd. Poor little guy, his bladder must've been bursting.

DS has both receptive and expressive delays, though his receptive is better than his expressive. He's also a very visual learner and I think it might help if I have DS#1 show him how the potty works a couple of times. He loves imitating his big brother.

If anyone else has any suggestions, I'd love to hear them.