Does your child have ADHD and struggle with bathroom accidents more than occasionally? Many children struggle with incontinence, and each makes progress on their own timeline.
However, children diagnosed with ADHD often find that bathroom struggles linger beyond the age when most kids grow out of them.
This doesn’t mean that there isn’t hope. What your child is facing isn’t a discipline problem or a lack of parental support. An estimated 7 million children in the US are currently diagnosed with ADHD, and many of these families find themselves in the same position.
October is ADHD Awareness Month, and this makes now a great time to talk more openly about the parts of ADHD that rarely get attention, such as bathroom routines.
Let’s take a closer look at what’s happening and at some tips for supporting your child in some of the most important moments of their day.
Is ADHD Connected to Bedwetting?
You may be surprised to learn that research has found children with ADHD are nearly three times as likely to experience bedwetting as those without ADHD.
A nationwide study by the National Institutes of Health found bedwetting in 3.28% of children diagnosed with ADHD, compared with 1.95% of those without. Another study found the gap to be even wider.
While the numbers may shift (and may seem small), the pattern holds. It’s not a matter of a child “trying hard enough” or “learning right and wrong”. It really comes down to how their brains process a very specific type of bodily signal.
What’s Happening in the Brain of a Child with ADHD and Incontinence?
ADHD has been found to affect the brain’s ability to interpret the signals most of us experience when our bladder is full.
The problem comes from how the brain’s frontal lobes process the signal, and it’s the same part of the brain that makes it hard for a child with ADHD to sit still, focus on a single task, wait their turn to speak, or even recognize when they are hungry!
Recognizing when your bladder is full (and how to wake up and go when fast asleep) can be challenging. Research has found that children with ADHD may sleep less soundly than many other children their same age, which can make it hard for them to wake up when they need to use the restroom.
What Else Makes It Harder?
It’s not just about noticing a full bladder. There are several other issues that may be at play that can make it difficult for a child with ADHD to “know” how to avoid accidents.
That includes constipation, sleep disorders, anxiety, and similar issues, all adding to the challenge of knowing when and how to go to the bathroom (particularly at night). One goal is to isolate the specific struggle and understand and manage it best.
For many families, working with a pediatrician and an ADHD specialist can help pinpoint what a child may struggle with and the best next steps to take to ease the burden of incontinence.
What Helps a Child with ADHD Avoid Bedwetting?
Avoid teaching-by-judgment
Before looking at methods to help a child manage their ADHD-related bedwetting, it’s important to focus on how to approach the issue.
Consistent, judgment-free routines help more than reminders or consequences. Rather than implement a consequence after an accident, think proactively.
For instance, schedule a bathroom break every two to three hours rather than waiting for your child to notice the urge on their own. This takes some of the pressure off their timing and puts it on the clock instead.
Small, achievable goals tend to work better than big ones
The best long-term results come from small, consistent habits. So look for ways to set achievable goals that a child is excited to reach.
Again, avoid punishment or shame wherever you can. Remember that your child is often already upset about the accident – adding a consequence (even the fear of one in your voice) can make things worse, not better.
Keep others in the know and seek professional help
Make sure to loop in your child’s support system so everyone knows what to watch for and how to help. For example, include a child’s teacher so that bathroom access is not a barrier during the school day.
It is also worth asking your child’s pediatrician whether their ADHD medication might be affecting things one way or the other. The effects of medication can vary from child to child; they deserve their own conversation.
Try an alarm to help children learn how to manage their nighttime bathroom routine
Another option is to consider a bedwetting alarm. Many pediatricians recommend these for families struggling with nighttime incontinence, and it may be worth asking about them at your child’s next visit.
Alarms are designed to help create a routine and awareness of when a child needs to go, so they better understand their bodies and act more quickly.
Get educated on the facts and methods that have been helpful to others
If autism is also part of your child’s diagnosis, there’s another layer to consider. Our guide to bedwetting and autism covers that side of the picture in more depth, and our full list of qualifying conditions can help you see where your child fits.
If sleepovers or overnight stays add another layer of worry, our guide to managing overnight accidents away from home walks through how to handle them with less stress for everyone involved.
You’re Not Alone – Help for ADHD & Bedwetting is Available
Every child deserves to feel comfortable and confident, and that begins with support at every stage. Even when things get hard, it’s often only a season, and combining patience with compassionate care is a recipe for success.
That’s why we’re passionate about helping families feel resourced and equipped, especially during ADHD Awareness Month.
While you help support your child, you deserve one less thing to manage. If your child has a qualifying diagnosis, such as autism or ADHD, you may be eligible to receive overnight diapers and pull-ups, fully covered by Medicaid.
Coverage depends on your state and qualifications. In many cases, these essential incontinence support supplies can be fully covered and sent to your door every month, giving you one less detail to worry about.
Call 888-845-8698, quickly check your eligibility online, or reach out to UroStat to learn more.
You care for them. We’ll take care of the rest.