4 year old with adhd wetting himself

[sammybow]

he is back in pull ups as doesnt even ask to use the toilet please help

[specialmom]

Yes, risperdal is  known to cause this.  When I had posted about increased urination and drugs----  I didn't realize he was taking that.  It's known to do that.  Why was  he on risperdal by the way?  Was he highly aggressive or were they looking for affect?  (ability to show emotion?)  

Anyway, hope the new strategy helps.  good luck

[sammybow]

hi took him to gp yesterday all came back clear with urine and was told its the side affect of meds so has been taken him off and put on methylphenidate

[specialmom]

That sounds like a good plan.  I think you have a combination of things going on both related to the antipsychotic and developmentally.  good luck!!

[sammybow]

many thanks all i will contact doctor today

[specialmom]

Hi there, in reading your other post, I see your son is on risperadol which is an antipsychotic.  This does have an incidence of increasing thirst as well as urination.  That must be prescribed for autism and behaviorsrelated as that is not a med used for add/adhd.  I would talk to the boy's doctor and discuss this as a side effect you are experiencing (possibly) and discuss if the med is a right fit or dosed too high------  AS well as talking to them about potty training readiness.  Absolutely if your child is autistic with add/adhd comorbid diagnosis, then potty training is going to be harder and may happen later.  Do you see a developmental pediatrician by any chance?  These are specialists within the pediatric field that specialize in kids with signficant issues such as your sons.  Very vauable in the help they provide over and above the usual pediatrician.  good luck  (also, all of the behavioral aspects of potty training above will still help you)

[specialmom]

Oh, that makes sense.  I checked because I had never heard of that association as a side effect.  

I think too when a child has difficulties with their nervous system----  which add/adhd basically is----  that impulses, whether one has trouble controling them or responding to them/noticing them----  can probably play a role as well.  

As if a family needs ONE MORE thing to make potty training challenging, right?  LOL  But it eventually happens and everyone can sing a happy song on that day!!  luck to the poster!

[Raerae336]

hey there, i wrote that this morning and was a bit tired (i work overnghts lol) anyways what i meant to say was that a lot of medicines can downplay the symptoms of having to urinate, example; my nephew has adhd and takes medication his daytime med isnt such an issue but his nighttime med is, he will sleep right through going to the bathroom, that being said he can have issues in the morning because it takes a while for the bedtime med to wear off.. and he remains pretty groggy until he mid-day and laziness(from his meds) comes into factor then because hes still out of it and doesnt want to get up and use the bathroom.. Thanks for catching that!!

[specialmom]

I definately agree that when in doubt, check with your doctor.

[specialmom]

Hi again, I did look up frequent urnination with add/adhd medication and didn't find anything that supported that.  Does your child take medicaiton?  

[margypops]

There is no doubt that meds do have side effects so it may be good that you speak to your Doctor and ask him if the meds could be the problem .

[specialmom]

good advice raerae!  I aslo want to say that when I mention picking out  cool underwear------  do not estimate the power of not wanting to ruin Batman!! Kids take that stuff very seriously and it can be a great way to convince themselves that they should 'respond' to the signal to go.  

But also make sure he is ready.  good luck

[Raerae336]

Is he on any type of medication? Some medication for ADHD actually can increase the need to urinate, that doubled with the fact that he has ADHD and probably has a harded time focusing can cause a lot of wet pants! my daughter who does not have ADHD sometimes pees her pants when engulfed in play and when i asked her why she did it she said she didnt know she had to go until it was too late. My suggestion to you would be offering the toilet very frequently and using the pull ups only at night, if he sees that its not terribly uncomfortable to pee his pants he may continue to back step. It may take time, also if there have been any changes in his life or routine these things can cause a hiccup in potty training. Best of Luck, im sure this is super frustrating!

[specialmom]

Hi there.  sometimes a child with a developmental delay such as add/adhd will have a harder time potty training.  It is important to look for 'potty training readiness' in my opinion.  That means that they have language to use for it (they tell you that they have to pee, that kind of thing), understand what a toilet is, have an interest in staying dry, etc.  Is your son at this point yet?  My sons both potty trained late----  one has sensory integration disorder (which is a nervous system delay very similar to add/adhd) and the other is just stubborn (he wanted to be the 'baby' he kept telling me).  By the way, there are great advantages in a late potty trainer----  no long process, they really just start doing it.  

So, think about your child and what readiness signs HE is giving you.  If he IS giving you the signs that he is ready to do it, then go to the next step.  Then go to the store with him and pick out a chair ring/pad (I like these better than potty seats especially for an older potty training kid!) and some cool underwear.  Get a cool nightlight that he picks out for the bathroom.  (even though I would work on daytime before night time----  that is harder for a lot of kids and not uncommon for kids to be 8 or 9 and still wet at night (12% of kids do until age 9!))  Make the whole experience fun and exciting.  Then remind him to go on a schedule----  say every 45 minutes and 20 minutes after eating.  If he starts to do a potty dance, then remind him to go.  Do a celebration happy dance if he goes, do a happy dance when he tries.  Have dad show him how to go standing up-----  boys DO really like this.  (buy clorox wipes though, LOL.  )  

If he is not showing you signs of readiness, then back off, use the pull ups and go back to trying in 30 days.  

He'll get it!!  They all do.  For kids with add/adhd----  signals may be not as clear when to go and so they potty train later.  But he WILL get it!  good luck

[margypops]

The pullups are sending a message thats it okay to wet in them , by putting hi back in them its enabling the wetting.I know its hard and sometimes putting pullups back on is the only way.But in my opinion its best not to ,did something happen for him to regress has there been any upset or change in his life .I would suggest you try again with out them and use the reward system, for each time he uses the potty, let him be in control, don't say much sometimes too much agitation ensues and makes the matter worse ...less is more