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Children (0-12 years): Bathroom, Toilet, Clothing

Children (0-12 years): Bathroom, Toilet, Clothing

Page last checked January 2025

Your child may need supportive equipment to help them have a bath or shower and go to the toilet. If they are being seen regularly, your occupational therapist (OT) will assess their needs so that these tasks are made as easy and stress-free as possible. If your child is not being seen regularly, but it has become difficult to manage any of these activities, contact your GP or neuromuscular consultant and ask for a referral to an OT.

There are many manufacturers and a wide variety of equipment to suit different ages. These include:

  • Using the bath: bath chairs, lifts, cushions, inserts and portable baths
  • Showering: multi-function shower & commode chairs, mobile and wall – mounted shower cradles and trolleys, shower chairs and stools
  • Using the toilet: potty chairs, toilet seats, cushions, frames and rails, urine deflectors, junior and travel urinals, wash and dry facilities. Community nurses and health visitors can also talk with you about ideas for managing potty or toilet training.
  • Getting dressed: you may need a changing mat or table. Also, life might be a bit easier for both you and your child if their clothing were better designed and easier to get on and off (see below).

Your OT should be able to advise you what will meet your child’s needs. They should be able to provide most items of equipment and / or tell you how to get assistance to pay for them.

It may be helpful to have an idea of what is available for when you have any discussions with your child’s OT or physio:

Living Made Easy > – choose the top tab: Health and personal care. 

Also see: Tab 15. Funding For Equipment on the Equipment Page >.

These links take you to possible options for making clothes more comfortable and manageable:

  • Living Made Easy >
    • choose the tab at the top: Health and personal care
    • click on clothing
    • select one of the options from the list
    • scroll down to Features on the left-side
    • Tick ‘Child-friendly design’ box.

Families have recommended these suppliers of ‘adaptive’ clothing and footwear that still offers style:

Some families who have difficulty keeping their children’s feet warm have recommended looking at the shop at:

Changing Places > toilets provide a height adjustable changing bench with hoist and plenty of space. Visit their website for more information and a map > of where Changing Places can be found.

The National Key Scheme > for accessible toilets in shopping centres, cafes, department stores and in bus and train stations around the country. To unlock the toilets, you will need to buy a RADAR key >