becky
03-08-2009, 11:56 AM
I have very recently been working with a child through the scouting organisation who has issues around toileting. This child finds it hard using toilet facilities of which he is unfamiliar. The issue arose last year on a summer camp abroad when a hike took place and for the overnight stay there was a non flushing toilet. The behaviour displayed included verbal and phyical abuse as he was extremely anxious, and the refusal to go to the toilet even though he was in severe pain nad discomfort. This issue was discussed with the parents on return and the child was given support by a specialist and the child has made significant progress - which involved specially arranged visits to the toilet with no one else present to over come his issues in a safe enviroment where he could ask questions if necessary.
This year we decided to go green field camping with the troop. A scary prospect for a child with toileting issues. As a troop we discded to buy flushable camp toilets in advance and asked the family to take it home, with a toilet tent for the child to get used to to see if he could manage this on camp. Most of the other children mainly used earth latrines, but this child was not made to feel any different from the others. This child was given the option of looking at the other toilet facilities on the camp if he wanted to but this was his decision and he decided not to - which was fine.
We have just come back from an extrememly wet camp and the child did exceptionally well with coping. Some days I would need to tell him to go to the toilet and others I didnt. He enjoyed himself and I am extremely grateful that he managed it.
The discussions with the child and the parents was essential in trying to come to a plan that was going to work whilst he was away. He also struggles with telling others what his problems are - but with the agreement we did together, he did tell us his problems and when the toilet needed emptying.
I'm so pleased it worked out well for him - now this is in place he will be able to enjoy every camp we go on in the future without being distressed or worried about it, and we know we can accommodate his needs.
This year we decided to go green field camping with the troop. A scary prospect for a child with toileting issues. As a troop we discded to buy flushable camp toilets in advance and asked the family to take it home, with a toilet tent for the child to get used to to see if he could manage this on camp. Most of the other children mainly used earth latrines, but this child was not made to feel any different from the others. This child was given the option of looking at the other toilet facilities on the camp if he wanted to but this was his decision and he decided not to - which was fine.
We have just come back from an extrememly wet camp and the child did exceptionally well with coping. Some days I would need to tell him to go to the toilet and others I didnt. He enjoyed himself and I am extremely grateful that he managed it.
The discussions with the child and the parents was essential in trying to come to a plan that was going to work whilst he was away. He also struggles with telling others what his problems are - but with the agreement we did together, he did tell us his problems and when the toilet needed emptying.
I'm so pleased it worked out well for him - now this is in place he will be able to enjoy every camp we go on in the future without being distressed or worried about it, and we know we can accommodate his needs.