Bladder and bowel control issues can affect people with cerebral palsy at any age. For some children, developing toilet skills may take longer and require additional support. For teenagers and adults, continence challenges can affect independence, participation and wellbeing.
Factors such as mobility, muscle coordination, communication differences, sensory preferences and constipation can all play a role in bladder and bowel control health (continence). Every person’s experience is different, and what works for one individual may not work for another.
The good news is that support is available. Many continence issues can be improved, managed or treated with the right advice and support.
Continence Health Australia provides a range of free services and resources about continence health for people with cerebral palsy, their families, carers and support workers.
National Continence Helpline
The National Continence Helpline is a free and confidential service staffed by nurse continence specialists.
The Helpline provides advice, information and support about:
- bladder and bowel control health, including constipation
- developing toilet skills and routines
- strategies to support people living with disability
- continence products and equipment
- funding assistance schemes.
The Helpline can also connect callers with local continence services, specialist health professionals and a product directory to help identify suitable continence products.
Public toilet access and community participation
Planning outings, travel and community activities can be challenging, so knowing where to access suitable toilet facilities can be helpful. The National Public Toilet Map, available as a free website and mobile app, lists more than 25,000 public toilet facilities across Australia, making it easier to plan trips and activities with confidence.
People with disability or continence needs may also be eligible for an MLAK (Master Locksmiths Access Key), which provides access to many locked accessible public toilets throughout Australia.
Resources and information
Continence Health Australia offers free evidence-based resources for parents, carers, support workers and health professionals. It covers bladder and bowel control health across the lifespan, including:
- toilet skills development and support for constipation, soiling, daytime wetting and bedwetting in children and young people
- women and men issues on pre- and post-pregnancy, menopause and prostate
- funding assistance
- continence aids and products
- resources for First Nations people and multicultural communities.
Continence Health Australia publishes Bridge magazine, a free quarterly magazine featuring practical continence information, expert advice and lived experience stories from people living with bladder and bowel control conditions.
Get your free copy of Bridge magazine. Subscribe to choose either a digital or printed edition.
Support is available
Whether you are supporting a child who is learning toilet skills, a young person navigating continence challenges, or an adult seeking to improve independence and quality of life, support is available.
Seeking advice early can help reduce the impact of bladder and bowel control issues and provide practical strategies to support health, independence and participation at home, school, work and in the community.
Continence Health Australia offers free, confidential advice, resources and referral pathways to help people find the right support at every stage of life.
Call the National Continence Helpline on 1800 33 00 66
Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm AEST (times may vary by state or territory). Closed on national public holidays.
You can talk to a nurse continence specialist for free and confidential advice.
You can ask for an interpreter who speaks your language.
