Home » Potty Training » Finding Big Kid Diapers, Pull-Ups and Youth Pants For Your Child with ASD
By Amy Tobik, BA Heavy Duty Adult Diapers
Six-year-old Alexander was diagnosed with moderate autism spectrum disorder (ASD) several years ago.
His parents have spent years attempting to potty train him, but he just isn’t completely there yet. In fact, his parents thought several times he was potty trained and then he regressed.
Alexander’s parents are frustrated by the added stress of not reaching this milestone and the added cost of big kid diapers when their budget is already really tight. What can they do to make life a little easier?
Potty training an autistic child like Alexander needs a little extra time before he/she is. Children on the spectrum are often slower to reach milestones, making it necessary to wear big kid diapers, pull-ups or youth pants for an extended number of years.
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Finding Big Kid Diapers, Pull-Ups and Youth Pants
There are myriad reasons children on the spectrum often remain in diapers, pull-ups and youth pants longer than their neurotypical peers. Sometimes it’s a developmental delay and the child is not able to recognize he/she has to go potty or maybe the child doesn’t have the adequate skills to maneuver clothing in time to use a toilet.
Children with communication challenges are less likely to be able to tell someone else he/she has to go to the bathroom. Those children who take medication with sleepy side effects may also find it difficult to wake up in time to go to the bathroom. And children with severe autism often don’t have the cognitive and motor skills to use a toilet — making the task that much more difficult to master.
It’s important to remember every child has different abilities and will develop at his/her own pace. Your child may need to use big kid diapers or pull-ups for a little bit longer than others. And once potty-trained, sometimes some protection is still needed overnight. With the costs averaging hundreds of dollars per month, it’s important to find an excellent source for well-priced big kid diapers and pull-ups and perhaps some financial assistance.
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As you probably know by now, diapers and pull-ups are costly, especially when needed long-term. First, talk to your child’s doctor about your options as a great number of children on the spectrum qualify for some financial assistance for medically-needed supplies and equipment.
If your child is eligible and enrolled in publically-financed medical services such as Medicaid, he/she is likely covered by a provision called Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT). Every state plan is required to make certain services available to all children from birth through age 21 and this program ensures children not only receive a diagnosis, but appropriate treatment.
This includes medically necessary supplies and equipment, so if a child is diagnosed with incontinence, this usually includes diapers for children beginning at age three with a prescription from a doctor.If your state denies your request for diapers for some reason, you can appeal the decision as they are required to comply as indicated by 42 CFR section 440.70 under Home Health Services.
Remember, the rules governing states differ, with some states permitting coverage before three years old if there is a medical diagnosis while others make families wait until a child is a bit older. It’s also important to point out that states also vary in which diaper or pull-up brands they will cover with some restricting coverage to only certain brands. Unfortunately, not all states will pay for pull-ups.
Request information from your particular state and talk to your child’s doctor and a Medicaid representative to ensure you can make the most of on your options. You may need to use the phrase, ‘disposable incontinent supplies’ when researching or applying for assistance.
Private insurance plans are not required to provide comprehensive benefits and many do not cover diapers or other incontinence supplies. Some insurance companies, however, will cover a portion or the full-price of diapers, pull-ups and youth pants for children with special needs because they are a necessity. It is worthwhile to find a vendor who will attempt to bill your private insurance, because you may be surprised to find the supplies approved.
There have been incidences where a private insurance company has sent out a denial letter stating the policy did not cover incontinence supplies and then when the insurance company was billed for the supplies under standard medical supply codes, the bills were paid. It’s important to keep your receipts because you may need to pay for diapers and/or pull-ups upfront and then be reimbursed from your insurance company.
disposable diaper Most companies require a letter from the doctor explaining the requirement as well as a prescription for disposable incontinent supplies. Always call your insurance company to check what they specifically require.