Each individual person has their own sensory threshold – all of us at some point will complain that something is too loud, too hard, too smelly, too painful, etc…. The “normal” reaction to a stimulus is defined by the majority of people’s reactions – but we all have our breaking points. Sensory-Oriented kids just have a lower threshold, thus they tend to find stimuli in the “normal” range more noxious than the rest of us. And so, they seemingly overreact to things – loud noises, tags in clothing, textures of food – things that are outside that comfort zone they’ve established for themselves.

These children are susceptible to plenty of toileting difficulties partly due to their sensory issues. Sensory-Oriented Kids may feel the potty is too cold, hate the flushing sound, or be frightened when the water splashes up. They may feel unstable on the toilet seat especially if their feet are not touching the ground; they may not like the excess of smells involved in the process and will have big problems with the mess of accidents. As a result, some of their toileting difficulty may come from their need to have some control in a world that they otherwise feel is completely random and frightening to them.

Dr. Pete guides us through the brain of the sensitive or sensory-oriented child and offers tips and techniques for potty training that will work within their comfort zone.

Download The Real Parenting Show with Dr. Pete & Sara now and remember, even though you may not always feel like it, you are the most influential person in your child’s life! If you have any questions or topics you’d like to suggest for future shows, please comment on this blog or call 877.980.2828. Click below to listen to all of Dr. Pete’s straightforward advice and practical tips for real parents raising real kids in the real world, and we hope you’ll subscribe to get our podcast each week.

Dr. Pete and Sara are also the co-authors of Stress-Free Potty Training, A Commonsense Guide To Finding The Right Approach For Your Child (AMACOM Books, 2008). We include an entire chapter on potty training sensitive children who may exhibit sensory issues.

Please note that nothing on The Real Parenting Show should be construed as professional psychological advice specific to you or your child. If you have concerns for anyone in your family, it’s important to make an appointment with a licensed mental health professional in your local area.

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