Jennifer L. Simon & Rachel H. Thompson. (2006)
The effects of undergarment type on the urinary continence of toddlers.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,
39, 363-368.
There is a growing trend toward later toilet training of typically developing
children. This trend is a problem for caregivers and professionals who work
with young children, because it is associated with a number of costs and health
risks in child-care settings. Results of a recent study
(Tarbox, Williams, & Friman, 2004) suggest that wearing underwear
may facilitate the development of toileting skills. Based on these findings,
we examined the effects of wearing disposable diapers, disposable pull-on
training pants, and underwear on urinary continence of 5 typically developing
toddlers in a child-care setting. Underwear decreased incontinence and
increased continent urinations for 2 of the 5 participants, produced no
improvement in 2 participants, and when combined with increased fluid intake
and longer sitting periods, produced some favorable trends for the 5th participant.
DESCRIPTORS: continence, child care, diapers, toileting, underwear