For a child with multiple physical challenges, toileting has often been regarded as a nuisance, an interruption, an added burden. New thinking about health and disability, however, has recast toileting as a critical intervention and an opportunity to teach meaningful skills. These skills, happily, are within reach for nearly every child with special needs. Provided with the right environmental modifications and positioning aids, most children can improve toileting skills to experience increased community participation and independence levels.
In this research-based paper, Achieving Optimal Toilet Positioning for People with Disabilities, I have tried to summarize the theory, evidence and importance behind appropriate toilet positioning. Included as well is discussion on the current difficulties and deficits in achieving this optimal toilet positioning and how these problems may be most appropriately addressed.
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