One of the major discussions that usually happen within a family when a child is diagnosed with dwarfism is “How will they use the bathroom?”


An average bathroom, with a twist!

Of coarse, there are ways for children with dwarfism to use the bathroom at home with comfort. One way is to place a step stool in the bathroom for the child to access the toilet and sink. Another is to build “steps” up to the toilet, if you have an extra bathroom that can be dedicated for just the child.

Another option is to re-do the bathroom to include a child size sink and toilet.

Jill, a friend of mine who has a son with Achondroplasia has done just that.

Knowing her family was going to be living in her home for a while with no plans on moving, Jill created a space within her bathroom for her son Nick to use. One of the added benefits is that her other children can also use the second toilet.

Jill says:

The toilet is from American Standard. The rim height on the toilet is 10 inches. The toilet was a bit of a splurge but the sink was very economical at 99 dollars. The sink is from Renovators Supply, which is an online company. I compared prices for a basic wall hung and also looked at buying a premade vanity and cutting it down or having a basic box made to house a drop in sink, both would have been more expensive. The “wee wash” stands at about 22 inches.


Half view of average size toilet and child size toilet.

A child size toilet will cost on average about $349.00, depending on where you buy it. The sink is more reasonable at $119.00, again, depending on where you buy it.

Currently, Nick must use a 5 inch stool to reach the sink in comfort. So, in all, Jill feels this was a good investment. I have to agree!


This is Nick’s area.

Even if we parent’s can make our home more livable for our dwarf children, their confidence and security with who they are will raise far higher than what we could imagine. Living in a world not built for them, they will face obstacles we normally don’t think about, but at home, they can do things just like the rest of us!

Another topic of concern is (trying to word it, but it has to be this way…) “How do our children properly wipe themselves?”

Children with disproportionate dwarfism (long torso, short arms) like Knoah, often have difficulty cleaning up themselves after doing a number 2. Their arms are simply to short to reach back there like the rest of us. With some techniques tested and perfected, there is a way!

One of these techniques is called “Twisting”.

from the front to the back while standing up
or from the back while standing up and twisting, works
well. It just depends on how long the arms are.

So in essence, because of their (achons) spine being curved, they twist their torso to reach their backside and wipe. Achons are known for having a “butt”. Not just a butt, but a butt that does stick out further, this makes the Twist the easiest to use to clean themselves.

There are also tools that can be purchased to help accomplish this task. The Self-Wipe is just one product you can purchase.

What age are you going to toilet train your child?

Special thanks to Jill and Nick for sharing with us their new bathroom!! It is beautiful!!