Exploring incontinence and toileting among children with additional needs

Background The likelihood of a childhood additional need is elevated among high-risk infants and the likelihood of incontinence is elevated among children with additional needs. Although successful toilet training may reduce the prevalence of incontinence among children with additional needs who were identified as a high-risk infant, there is very little research regarding incontinence and toilet training among this group of children. Aims The aim of this study is to determine how many 5- and 6-year-old children with additional needs who previously participated in a service for high-risk infants experience incontinence, and to describe the caregiver experience of toilet training this group of children. Methods In this exploratory study, participating caregivers completed an online questionnaire which included quantitative and qualitative questions. Results Drawing from data provided by 17 caregivers, we found that 13 out of the 18 children we investigated experienced incontinence, and we identified five themes relating to the toilet training experience among caregivers: caregiver expertise, emotions, determining the leader, taking action, and evaluating progress. Conclusion In this exploratory study, we found the majority of 5- and 6-year-old children with additional needs who previously participated in a service for high-risk infants experienced incontinence. Our results also described the challenges caregivers experienced when toilet training this group of children. Findings from this study support further research into the barriers and facilitators of continence attainment for children with additional needs who were identified as a high-risk infant.