Toilet Learning Through a Pelvic Health Lens: Readiness, Red Flags, and Real-World Coaching

Session Description

Toilet learning is a developmental milestone that directly affects self-esteem, participation, and family routines. This session equips pelvic health PTs with an evidence-informed, child-centered framework to (1) identify readiness in both child and caregiver, (2) recognize constipation/withholding and lower urinary tract symptom (LUTS) “red flags,” and (3) implement practical coaching strategies that translate into clinic on Monday. Participants will apply an ICF-based approach to connect impairments (bowel/bladder habits, pelvic floor tension, breathing patterns) with activity/participation challenges (daycare toileting, sleep disruption, social avoidance). We’ll teach caregiver friendly scripts, optimal toileting posture, and diaphragm–pelvic floor coordination strategies to reduce straining and promote efficient elimination. Interactive components include rapid polls, “what would you do next?” clinical decision points, and a brief implementation toolkit (readiness checklist + troubleshooting algorithm).

You Will Learn

1. Differentiate child and caregiver readiness indicators to guide timing and method selection.
2. Identify constipation/withholding and toileting behaviors that warrant pelvic health intervention or referral.
3. Apply an ICF framework to link toileting impairments to functional participation barriers and plan of care priorities.
4. Implement posture + breathing + coaching strategies to support toileting efficiency and reduce straining.

Presented By

Molly Self, PT, DPT, PCS, CAPP-Pelvic

Molly graduated from U.S. Army-Baylor as a Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2012. She is an Associate Professor of Pediatric and Pelvic Health Rehabilitation at the U.S. Army- Baylor DPT Program. Molly is a Board-Certified Pediatric Clinical Specialist (PCS) and holds a Certificate of Advanced Practice in Physical Therapy-Pelvic Health (CAPP- Pelvic). She is currently a DSc Scholar in Pediatric Rehabilitation at the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center. Molly is a Director for the Pediatric Pelvic Health Special Interest Group and Northwest Regional Membership Representative for the Academy of Pelvic Health under the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). Molly has been in the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserves for 17 years and continues to serve. She has a passion for leadership and education and hopes to empower patients and their families with the tools needed to maximize participation in all environments.