Toilet training with Andreas

Andreas is a cheerful, energetic and curious boy, who has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy and lissencephaly. Lissencephaly is a rare disease characterised by the absence of normal convolutions (folds) in the brain, leaving the surface of the brain smooth, often resulting in developmental delays and motor impairments. Functionally, Andreas is able to sit independently, with good postural control. He demonstrates good strength and motor control in his upper right limb, however he has limited voluntary control on the left side. He actively uses his right arm and hand, particularly when playing with his toy cars. He is not able to stand or walk without support, but can explore his surroundings by scooting around on his buttocks. Andreas can also communicate using one-syllable words.

One of Andreas’s favourite activities is taking a bath with his big brother – a joyful moment filled with laughter and splashing. Today, Andreas uses a bathing chair mounted in the bathtub. However, this solution no longer adequately supports the evolving needs of either Andreas or his family. Ditte wishes for Andreas to continue enjoying bathtime with his brother, but she also wants him to train for more independence when showering and toileting.

Andreas attends a school for children with special needs, where he uses his R82 Meerkat for supported standing. When Andreas is not at school, he loves listening to music, playing with his toy cars and going for a ride in the family cargo bike.

A solution focused on independence, stability and participation 

In conversation with Ditte, it became clear that the focus of the family is always on contributing to Andreas’s quality of life and to facilitate as much development, independence and involvement as possible. Assistive devices are an integral part of their everyday life, and the next step is to support Andreas to train in toileting and showering. Therefore, the Flamingo Curo is a great choice.

Initially, Andreas was a bit hesitant about the new situation. Ditte used communication cards to talk to Andreas about the Flamingo Curo and the activities that he was going to start practicing. And once the supportive and surrounding tray was attached, and he was able watch his favourite show on his iPad, Andreas seemed more at ease. In addition, when moving the chair around or adjusting the tilt or back recline, Ditte was able to reassure Andreas, who began to feel a sense of security. Once Andreas was ready, he started the toilet training.

Due to his good postural control, the flexibility of the swing-away side supports allow Andreas to sit both with and without postural support. Training in new activities can be tiring, and during toilet training, he usually starts to show a bit of reduced trunk stability on the left side. Here, the swing-away side supports provide the necessary support, allowing him to focus only on the activity and not on maintaining postural control.