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Early Onset of Trip Training Proved Beneficial for Me

Potty training with the assistance of columnist Sabrina Johnson for her pet Angel commenced when Angel was 4 years old. Johnson now regards the endeavor as a significant triumph, multiple years down the line.

Preparing Practical Journey Preparation Ahead of Time Proved Beneficial for Me
Preparing Practical Journey Preparation Ahead of Time Proved Beneficial for Me

Early Onset of Trip Training Proved Beneficial for Me

In a heartwarming tale of perseverance and determination, a parent shares their journey with trip training, a method designed to help special needs children establish a toileting routine. This story revolves around Juliana, a child with Angelman Syndrome, and her journey towards greater independence.

The writer, a parent to two children, first learnt about trip training from an article about a parent who successfully implemented it with their child. Inspired, they decided to embark on this journey with Juliana, hoping for a similar positive outcome.

Every child learns at a different pace, and developmental delays can make learning more challenging. For Juliana, the process was no exception. Initially, trip training started after meals and whenever she drank something. The writer managed most trips around Juliana's bathroom schedule, but there were occasional accidents, which prompted the next level of training.

One of the key elements in Juliana's trip training was the use of an augmentative and alternative communication device, her iPad. With it, Juliana could select the bathroom icon when she needed to go, eliminating the need for guesswork. This breakthrough was followed by another milestone: Juliana started patting her bottom when she needed to head to the bathroom, a clear indication of her success in trip training.

Transitioning Juliana to underwear during the day felt like a bonus to the writer. It was a step towards normalising her life and providing her with a sense of independence. The method proved effective, significantly improving the writer's life, providing freedom, and reducing worries about accidents.

In cases of emergencies, they use the handicap stall for Juliana's bathroom breaks, ensuring a clean and comfortable environment for her. Juliana's teacher felt she was ready to switch from pullup diapers to underwear at school a few years ago, further cementing the success of the trip training.

The writer uses the timer feature on their Amazon Alexa for bathroom break reminders, ensuring consistency in Juliana's routine. They have found early trip training to be beneficial, as delays were not a good idea, according to the article.

Trip training is not just a solution for Juliana. It's a method used to help special needs children across the world establish a toileting routine, giving them a sense of independence and normalising their lives. For the writer, it has been a journey filled with challenges and triumphs, but the end result - Juliana's growing independence - makes it all worthwhile.

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