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TRIAD’s Toddler Topics • Winter 2017

TRIAD

TRIAD Early Intervention Newsletter

We hope everyone is enjoying the Holiday Season! We know that schedules and routines are often different for many families around the holidays. This can be especially difficult for some children with ASD and other developmental delays. Whether travelling or staying home, here are some tips and resources to help make this time of year less stressful and more successful:

Make expectations clear and maintain some structure throughout the day. The child may not have school/therapy as usual, so a first-then board, visual schedule, or calendar can let the child know what they will be doing each day.
Prepare the child ahead of time. Social stories can help the child understand a new situation, such as flying in an airplane.
Pack a special travel bag for road trips or long wait times-stocked with snacks/drinks the child likes, favorite toys, and also consider including some new items the child has never seen before that might maintain their interest a little longer. Check out some other Travel Tips here.

Workshop Recap

We conducted toilet training workshops in Middle and West Tennessee this fall. Participants learned how to navigate TRIAD’s Toilet Training Curriculum and spent an afternoon making visual supports to take with them. Do you work with a child who is ready to tackle potty training? Use this checklist to help decide. Items with an * are priority prerequisite skills.

	Child Readiness Checklist
✓	Is able to walk to and from the bathroom independently*
✓	Has the balance to sit on toilet 2-5 minutes*
✓	Transition from an activity and physically comply with instructions to sit on the toilet for a minimum of 2 minutes without disruption (may need some encouragement/supervision)
✓	Stays dry for at least 1.5-2 continuous hours at a time during the day
✓	Follows a few simple directions (e.g., sit down)*
✓	Notices when diaper or clothing is wet or soiled
✓	Shows some awareness of an impending urine accident
✓	Appears uncomfortable when underwear or diaper is wet or soiled following an accident
✓	Shows interest in self-care (e.g., dressing, hand-washing, toileting)
✓	Shows interest in other’s toileting
✓	Completely empties bladder when voiding and stays dry about 2 hours at a time
✓	Has bowel movements that follow a regular and predictable pattern
✓	Indicates need to go to bathroom through facial expressions, postures, gestures or words

Don’t forget that the parent needs to be ready too!

	Parent Readiness Checklist
✓	Realistic time of the year to work on it?
✓	Amount of time to invest in it currently?
✓	High priority goal. If not, what goals need to be addressed first?
✓	Financial resources. If not, what areas need to be covered that cannot be currently?
✓	Social support. If not, ideas for increasing social support?

What's Next?

TRIAD’s first Early Intervention Virtual Learning Community begins in January! Join us for an online training series focusing on Challenging Behavior. Participate in professional development and network with other providers from the comfort of your own home!