Tip of the Week:  Toileting issues

We often hear about toileting issues in individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome, regardless of age. Wetting the bed or frequent toileting difficulties during waking hours are common but frustrating issues for families. First and always, have your child checked for any medical issues before moving on to behavioral approaches. Once they are medically cleared, look for patterns — is this an avoidance tactic (getting out of school, avoiding a non-preferred activity), or is this a way for your child to assert control in a routine that lacks choices? If it is to avoid a non-preferred activity, always help your child clean up and immediately move on to that activity so that you are not inadvertently reinforcing the behavior. Always be sure that your child has as many choices as possible throughout the day. So much of their lives are planned and controlled by us; allowing for them to have some control will typically decrease this behavior.

Patrice Carroll is Latham Centers’ world-renowned Prader-Willi syndrome specialist. She works with Latham’s residents with PWS, their families, and consultants, continuously learning and teaching about PWS best practices. Do you have questions for our PWS specialist? Submit your “tip” topics or general questions to TipTopics@LathamCenters.org.