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Home › Articles › Bedwetting › Beating Bedwetting

Beating Bedwetting

Stories of Special Needs Children with Enuresis

By Barb Eimer

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Nighttime bedwetting, medically described as primary nocturnal enuresis, is a common problem affecting up to seven million children in the United States. Obviously, nobody is born with bladder control, but, usually, as a child matures, so does their ability to control their bladder. By the age of 3 to 4, most children learn to void, or inhibit voiding, voluntarily. But anywhere up to 20 percent of 6-year-olds still have regular bedwetting episodes.

Enuresis can be caused by physical disabilities, deep sleeping, irregular bowel movements, food sensitivities and more. While it's not always easy to discern which factors are affecting your child, the difficulties are compounded if they have special needs.

A Medical Solution

Research has determined a close correlation between children with ADD/ADHD and bedwetting. In fact, in a study of more than 1,800 cases, nearly half of those with classical ADD/ADHD currently wet the bed or have in the past.

Diane, whose son Timothy was diagnosed with ADD when he was 8, is one of many parents who have dealt with this problem. "Timothy wet the bed constantly until age 11, then frequently until 12 or 13, and even now at 15, it still happens once or twice a year if he gets super stressed," she says.

"Timothy seemed especially affected by emotional issues," says Diane. "If there was a change in the routine, he would usually wet the bed that night." To compensate, Diane tried hard to keep a consistent bedtime and to structure his days so that he would know what to expect.


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