Making the Loo Less Stressful: Gentle Approaches for PDA and Toileting

In this episode, Rachel from the PDA Society is joined by Tabitha Poole, an occupational therapist from the charity ERIC, to explore a topic that many PDA families describe as a common challenge, toileting.

Tabby shares her professional insight into why toileting can be difficult for PDA children and young people, and how these challenges are often linked to anxiety, demand sensitivity, sensory differences and the need for autonomy. Rachel and Tabby discuss common experiences such as refusal, avoidance, accidents, fear of the toilet, and the impact of shame and pressure.

Part 1 focuses on understanding. It explores what might be underneath toileting difficulties, why traditional approaches can make things harder, and how reframing toileting as a nervous system and safety issue can lead to more compassionate and effective support.

Key Themes

• Why toileting can be particularly difficult for PDA children
• Anxiety, demand sensitivity and the need for autonomy
• The role of sensory sensitivities and interoception
• How pressure, shame and urgency can increase distress
• Reframing toileting difficulties through understanding and safety

Deep Diver Subscriber Episode

For those who would like to go further, Part 2, an exclusive “Deep Diver” subscriber episode, is available through our Training Hub.
You can access it here: https://training.pdasociety.org.uk/pda-podcasts/

Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed by guest speakers in this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the PDA Society. While we aim to provide balanced and inclusive discussions, individual experiences and perspectives may vary. The PDA Society is committed to using language and terminology that reflects the preferences of PDA and autistic people, but sometimes our guests may use language and terminology which differs. Appearance on our podcast is not an endorsement of an individual, and not all of our guests will align with our position on the issues discussed.

Further sources of support and information

• PDA Society Training Hub: https://training.pdasociety.org.uk/pda-podcasts/
• PDA Society Website: https://www.pdasociety.org.uk/
• PDA Society Training: https://www.pdasociety.org.uk/support-and-training/training/
• PDA Society Support Service: https://www.pdasociety.org.uk/support-and-training/support/

Guest links:

• @toilettimewithtabby
• @continencehub
• @eric_charity
• www.tabithapoole.com
• www.continencehub.com

https://eric.org.uk/advice-about-bladders-bowels-and-toileting-for-children-with-additional-needs-2/

https://eric.org.uk/potty-training/children-additional-needs/

https://eric.org.uk/children-with-additional-needs/toileting-support-for-autistic-children/

https://eric.org.uk/interoception-and-toileting/