Event
Paediatric Continence: Beyond Toilet Training
Description
Multidisciplinary Paediatric Continence Training
A practical, evidence-based ½ day intensive for allied health professionals
19th May 2026 9am-12noon AWST
Including 2 follow up "translating information to practice" sessions:
Tuesday 4th June 11am AWST with Selina Roberts (Continence Clinician)
Tuesday 30th June 9am AWST with Tabitha Poole (Continence Occupational Therapist)
(Translation to practice sessions will be held via google meet, invitation to be provided at time of webinar training event)
Toileting challenges are common. Complex continence presentations are even more so, yet many clinicians receive minimal formal training in how to assess and manage them confidently.
Continence is not “just toilet training.” It sits at the intersection of bowel and bladder physiology, sensory processing, behaviour, skill development, environment and participation.
Delivered collaboratively by an Occupational Therapist and Continence Clinician, this training provides a clear, multidisciplinary framework for supporting children with continence-related difficulties.
Designed for OTs, nurses, speech pathologists, physiotherapists and dietitians working with children.
What We Cover
Understanding Clinical Presentations
- Constipation, soiling and withholding
- Day accidents and night wetting
- Urgency and frequency
- Toilet anxiety and demand avoidance
- Skill acquisition challenges
- Bowel and bladder interaction
Bowel Foundations
- Functional bowel anatomy
- Constipation mechanisms
- Bowel assessment essentials
- Red flags and referral pathways
Bladder Foundations
- Bladder function and assessment
- Fluid intake considerations
- Bladder red flags
Toileting Success
- When to start
- Environment and positioning
- Dressing and wiping skills
- Routine building
- Developing interoceptive awareness
- Neuro-affirming toileting plans
Troubleshooting
- Children who won’t poo in the toilet
- Toilet anxiety
- Regression and resistance
NDIS Considerations
- Framing functional impact
- Funding therapy beyond “toilet training”
- Equipment and continence product recommendations
- Report writing to support reasonable and necessary criteria
Learning Outcomes (CPD)
By the end of this training, participants will be able to:
- Describe the physiology of bowel and bladder function in children
- Identify common continence presentations and contributing factors
- Recognise bowel and bladder red flags requiring medical referral
- Conduct basic continence screening and assessment
- Develop neuro-affirming, multidisciplinary toileting plans
- Apply practical troubleshooting strategies
- Confidently frame continence needs within functional and funding contexts
Why Attend?
- Multidisciplinary continence approach
- Evidence-based and clinically practical
- Neurodiversity-affirming
- Immediate tools for practice
- Additional "translating knowledge to practice" session following training to discuss your clinical questions.
Supporting continence effectively improves dignity, participation, independence and family well-being.
Build the confidence to do this work well.
Presenter
Tabitha Poole (Continence Occupational Therapist) and Selina Roberts (Continence Clinician
Bio
Tabitha (Tabby) Poole
Continence Occupational Therapist/Director
Tabby is an Occupational Therapist (OT) with more than 12 years of experience working in paediatrics. She is based in Miami, Florida, and Perth, Western Australia, and offers video consultations worldwide.
Following the completion of her degree in OT, Tabby continued postgraduate study in the field of continence management, and has worked as an OT across Western Australia, England, and Scotland. For six years, Tabby worked in and managed PEBBLES, a specialist, multidisciplinary continence team, serving clients across the lifespan with a variety of diagnoses and complex continence needs.
Believing that there's always more to learn about continence management, Tabby is enthusiastic about continuing her own education to ensure she practices in line with the best and most up-to-date evidence in the field. She also loves delivering training, and has presented at numerous workshops and training events, including the Australian National Conference on Incontinence.
Tabby has experience working with children with specific diagnoses including:
-
Learning difficulties
-
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
-
Global Developmental Delay
-
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
-
Sensory Processing Disorder
-
Anxiety
-
Down Syndrome
-
Cerebral Palsy
-
Genetic disorders
-
Vision and hearing impairment
Tabby maintains current Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) registration.
Selina Roberts
Continence Clinician/Director
Selina has dedicated over 17 years of her career to making a meaningful impact in the disability sector.
After successfully earning her degree in Intellectual Disability Nursing, Selina made a pivotal decision to relocate to Australia. There, she further honed her expertise by pursuing postgraduate studies in continence management. Her commitment to professional development and her thirst for knowledge have been unwavering throughout her career.
Over the 10 years, Selina has served as a Continence Clinician in both urban and regional settings across Perth and Western Australia. Selina has worked in and managed PEBBLES, a specialist multidisciplinary continence team. In this capacity, Selina has demonstrated remarkable proficiency in working with clients of all ages, addressing a wide spectrum of diagnoses, and managing complex continence challenges.
Selina's passionate about her work, particularly in the realm of complex bowel management. She is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for her clients.
One of Selina's standout qualities is her ability to serve diverse populations. She has extensive experience helping adults, children, and individuals both with and without an NDIS plan, underscoring her versatility and commitment to inclusivity.
To maintain her high standards of professionalism, Selina diligently maintains her registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). She is also a proud member of the Continence Foundation of Australia, staying connected with a community of professionals who share her dedication to improving continence care.
Beyond her professional life, Selina is a loving mother to two energetic children who keep her on her toes. When she's not making a difference in the disability sector, Selina enjoys nothing more than spending quality time at the beach.
Selina is committed to improving the lives of others. With her passion, expertise, and dedication she hopes to make a lasting impact in the field.
