How do you potty train a child who can't speak?

Question

My son is 2 years old, but is still not speaking yet. Sometimes he acts like he understands us, but not consistently. Lately, he has been removing his diaper to urinate and deficate on the floor or furniture. This is VERY GROSS, and we're trying to get ideas on what to do to stop this behavior. To me this is a sign that he is ready to be potty trained, but how do you train a child who can't speak and may not understand? If potty training is not the answer, then what is?

Answer 1

By two years old your child should understand just about everything you say to him. Speak to him gently, often, and at his physical level and he should be speaking soon. There is a lot that goes into learning to speak. You should also mention your problem to the doctor.
Don't go crazy when he makes on the floor or furniture. Let him know that his behaviour is unacceptable and tell him what you expect from him. Be consistant, be firm but gentle. Maybe he is looking for attention. Make sure you reward him for behaving properly.
Be patient. Potty training, when the timing is right, is very easy.

Answer 2

There can be many reasons for this to happen, you say he is 2 years old, ok take him to the pediatrations, and ask why he is doing it, if he is not speaking any words that is a big big concern, whybecause my daughter had the same problem with speaking I should of taken her to know sign language but I did not, take him to the Pediatraions and tell him/or her that you are very concern about your son's speach, he could be delayed and also his fine motor skills. Take him to a place for Speach and hearing test and make sure that your health insurance covers it. They should be saying about 100 to 200 words at the age of two. When my daughter was 2-4 years old she only said 20 words and her little cousin who is 6 months younger then she is could give you a conversation. So Let your son's pediatration know that you are concern about that, and for potty tell or ask him if he needs to go to the potty litterly take him in the bathroom and show him if he needs to go instead of him going and running around the house and urinating else where instead of the toliet. Buy your son a potty train toliet that has music in it because I bought my daughter one when and she loved it, also I was getting help from head start preK., and it is the best program that you can put your child in it will make a remarkable prograss for your child. I hope this helps.

Answer 3

I had a hard time potty training my oldest daughter. But you learn from the first. So when my second daughter came along, I just started setting her on the potty, if she went or not. Just to get her used to setting there. In the morning is a good time to do it. Everybody has to pee in the morning. When you wake him up, just sit him on the potty and run some water. Once he does go, make a big deal about it. Hopefully he'll catch on. Why isn't he speaking yet? Does he say anything? You might want to ask your family doctor about this. My oldest didn't speak until she was two and then it was over night. Needless to say she is 5 now and doesn't shut up. Good luck.

Answer 4

Hi. Unless he has a learning disability of some kind, then he does understand. He may just be ignoring you some of the time. You need to first make it fun for him. Put a potty chair in the bathroom and take him in to just sit down on it, with his clothes on at first. Then after a day or two start taking him in to sit on it with no diaper on, and take him in every time you go to the bathroom. Try and take him in at the times when he is most likely to go pee, like when he first wakes up, or after he has a snack or meal. Then, if he goes by accident make a big deal about it, clap, and tell him what a good boy he is! My daughter is only 16 months old and has been going in the potty at least once a day for about a month now! Good luck!

Answer 5

I have worked with special needs children and we trained them by being consistent and using a flash card system. It showed all the steps on the cards. While they were doing the object on the card we would pull it out and show them. We made the cards ourselves by taking a picture of the potty, the toilet paper, the handle on the potty, the sink, the water running, the soap, the towel, and a happy face for the end. Then every time they went potty they got a sticker on their potty chart. They were trained in about a month. It takes a little longer and more effort on your part but it can be done:-)

Answer 6

You could try to learn baby sign and use it with your child. I used it a lot in a younger 1 year old classroom that I taught in. The children who couldn't speak picked it up quickly. However, if your child is 2 and not speaking he may need being evaluated. He is older, and should be putting together 2-3 word sentences. You may want to speak to his pediatrician.
As far as removing the diapers, try pull ups. They are harder for children to take off. Try to teach him where the right place to go is, and reward him if he goes in the potty. Stickers work well.

Answer 7

My youngest didn't really start talking until she was two and a half, but she understood everything we said to her. Just ask him if he needs to go potty. If he poops on the floor, pick it up, bring him to the potty and throw it in the pot. He'll get the hint. Have him sit on the potty and see what happens. If he goes, make a HUGE deal out of it. Just because he doesn't speak, does not mean he doesn't understand.

Answer 8

If he is 2 and is not understanding you or speaking, you need to make an appointment with his doctor. He may have a hearing problem, or even scarier, be autistic. I think that your potty training needs to be put on hold. You can try showing him what to do in the potty, but I would make an appointment with doc asap.

Answer 9

you poor thing. potty training is hard enough when the kid can communicate.

my youngest couldn't talk until she was almost four (now she can't shut up, but i am not complaining). potty training was difficult because she was easily frustrated and couldn't convey it verbally, which just made it worse. your boy removing his diaper does indicate that he is ready for potty training. and he can listen. you really have to be on top of him, take him in there a lot, and communicate clearly that taking off the diaper and letting go in inappropriate places will not be tolerated. be patient and consistent - that's all you can do! the rest is really up to him.

good luck!

Answer 10

Have you taken him to a child therapist or speech pathologist? The fact that he doesn't consistently understand you and cannot yet speak MAY indicate a problem of some sort. That would be the bigger issue here than potty training.

I don't mean to scare you; I'm just saying what I know from people IN the know.