Hi, Crystal!
Hope you didn't have to wait too long. It's that end-of-the-semester time when special ed paper work gets to be overwhelming.
I worked with an early interventionist that was a jewel. She had my babies from 0 to 3 years old and then she would come to my class and tell me all about them and what she was doing with them. They were with me in preschool from ages 3-6 unless they were ready and able to go to regular Kindergarten
One of the tips she told her parents and me was about how scary the big potty is for a little one who can't see. Besides that, it sometimes takes boys longer to get the idea and a bit longer for little boys with visual impairments. So I had visually impaired preschoolers and so did my co-worker in the class next door, who were not potty trained or were semi-potty trained.
The EI used to put the boys on the big potty facing the back of the potty so they could hold on to the back and feel more secure of not falling in. We aslo used the little plastic kid-sized potty for those who needed the security of having their little feet touch the floor.
We also would put the kids down for naps in pull-ups and get them to the potty as soon as they awoke. We also got to the potty after meals. Meanwhile moms and dads were doing this at home.
During the awake time, for those who were ready, we used cloth training pants or "big kid" underwear. Accidents can get rather messy but the child will associate that feeling before he wets his clothes with having to go to the potty. "Pull-ups" and disposable diapers pull wetness away from the body and it's more difficult for the child to associate the wetness with having to use the potty.
Also, you can see what's happening when an accident occurs and get them to the bathroom. Encourage pulling off and changing his own wet clothes to help drive the idea home. Don't make this a negative thing, just a mater-of-fact-this-is-what-we-do-when-our-clothes-are-wet thing.
I didn't ever fuss about accidents or show anger. Instead, my aide and I had a "we'll get it right next time" attitude. If you freak out the child will, too. Have patience and make a big "to do" about successes rather than accidents.
I had a couple of children's books on the subject, which we would read sometimes before nap time. One was called "Once Upon a Potty."
We kept a little poster of "smelly stickers" (scented stickers) to reward every success or in one case, and extra couple of animal crackers at snack time.
This summer could possibly be your best time for potty training because he can go pantless around the house, which is another technique some folks use. The idea is the same in that the child feels wetness and associates it with the urge to urinate. (Better on the laundry, eh?) ;D
Meanwhile, check out these links:
This one is for a DVD:
www2.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16809238805019DV&ATT=DVD+Movie+Video&CMP=KNC-overturesmxThis is a cute UK site on the subject. Just modify for visual impairments:
www.babycentre.co.uk/refcap/548955.htmlThis is a site that parents are require to register to make use of:
www.pottytrain.org/boy.htm
