Teens toileting

[XXXX5]

Hello,

I am looking for tools to help encourage a female teenager who is in a lifeskills program and the behavior of a 4 year old in toileting hygiene- ideas?

Also do you know if by law her aid can give her verbal assistance or does this have to be done by the nurse.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

I work in special needs schools 1:1 nursing. The aides are trained for toileting whether verbal prompts or physical assistance. In a public school setting this might occur in the nurse's office for privacy but many public schools that keep life skills programs in district have private bathrooms in or near the MD & life skills classrooms. The only toileting that Ive seen done by nursing were students like my clients that have 1:1 PDN for complex medical needs.

[XXXX5]

the aid im my school will not assist and says it is beyond the bounds of her job- I am in NYS does anyone know if there is a law regarding this?

[XXXX5]

And what would you recommend as teaching tools and props to teach the proper steps and encourage independence?

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

It might be beyond her current job description or fall under other duties as assigned. She may just not want to. Check with administration or the school board.

Scheduled voiding every 1-2 hours often helps with bladder training. Try looking up bladder training/scheduled voiding with verbal cues. The speech pathologist or OT can develop a visual schedule of the steps to follow supplemented by verbal cues. If not stable sitting then OT can order an adaptive toilet seat.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Independent toileting should be done in consultation with the OT (OT is specially trained in ADLs)

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

it sounds to me like this should be clarified by admin. Classroom staff everywhere I have worked, classroom staff can assist with ADLs in a special ed setting or lifeskills type program. To break routine to have to bring to your office and then hope that you're not tied up with an emergency or another student would be troublesome in establishing good toileting habits. I have just argued this exact issue in my school - i am the lone wolf here and am often called away for quite some time, especially if i'm dealing with a seizure or other emergency. That's a long time to hold it.

[SnowyJ, RN]

XXX5, if she is a special ed aide, it is NOT out of her scope of practice. In our district willingness to toilet students is required for the job of Special Ed Aide.

I'd check with HR. I am sure you can find a job description.

Also, if a child is not independent with toileting, this should be part of their IEP/504 or other plans. There should be a specific plan of action for that student. if there is not, talk to her Case Manager and be sure to have one drafted!