Not Potty Trained? Can My Student Still Attend School?

If your child is getting ready for school but is not fully toilet trained, you may be wondering:

“Can the school tell me my child cannot enroll because they still need help with the bathroom?”

This can be especially concerning when a child has a disability, developmental delay, medical condition, or simply needs more time and support with toileting.

The short answer is that Utah does have a toilet-training requirement for students enrolling in public school. However, there are important exceptions for students whose toileting needs are related to a disability or suspected disability.

Let’s take a closer look at what Utah’s rules mean for families.

 

What Does “Toilet Trained” Mean?

This can be confusing because “toilet trained” may mean something different to you than it does to the school.

Under Utah State Board of Education Rule R277-631, a student is considered toilet trained when they can:

• Communicate that they need to use the bathroom.
• Sit on the toilet.
• Use the toilet without assistance.
• Undress and dress as needed.
• Take care of their personal hygiene after using the toilet.
• If they have an accident, take care of their hygiene and change their clothes independently.

The rule also says that if a child has frequent accidents that interfere with their education or the education of other students, the school may consider that when deciding whether the child is considered toilet trained.

This does not mean that one accident automatically means a child is not toilet trained. Kids have accidents. What matters is whether the student can manage toileting independently and whether accidents are happening often enough to interfere with school.

 

What Does Utah Law Say About Toilet Training and School Enrollment?

Utah has specific laws and rules about personal-care independence and toilet training for students entering public school.

Utah Code § 53G-7-230 requires the Utah State Board of Education to have rules requiring students to demonstrate personal-care independence by being toilet trained before enrolling in public school.

However, the law also includes exceptions for students who cannot meet the requirement because of a condition that is subject to federal Child Find requirements or because of a condition described in an IEP or Section 504 plan.

So, yes, there is a toilet-training requirement. But there is also an important exception for children whose toileting needs are connected to a disability or suspected disability.

 

What If My Child’s Disability Affects Toileting?

A child may have difficulty with toileting for many reasons. For example, toileting may be affected by autism, a developmental or physical disability, or a medical condition.

If your child’s disability affects their ability to use the bathroom independently, make sure the school knows about their needs.

If your child already has an IEP or Section 504 plan, share information about their toileting needs with the school. The IEP or 504 team can discuss what supports your child needs to participate in school.

Children who qualify for special education under an IEP are entitled to a free appropriate public education (FAPE), and students with disabilities are also protected under Section 504.

An Important Point for Parents

USBE guidance explains that parents should not be required to provide a toileting service that the school is responsible for providing as part of the student’s FAPE.

In other words, if your child needs toileting support at school because of their disability and that support is the school’s responsibility, it should not automatically become the parent’s job.

USBE’s technical assistance on toilet training provides additional information for schools and families.

Utah’s rule does allow schools to have policies about parent assistance with toilet training, so there may be situations where a school asks a parent to help. However, that is different from a toileting service the school is responsible for providing as part of your child’s education.

 

What If My Child Does Not Yet Have an IEP?

You may be wondering, “If my child doesn’t have an IEP, does the disability exception apply to them?”

It may.

This is where Child Find comes in. Under federal special education law, schools have a responsibility to identify and evaluate students who may have a disability and need special education or related services.

Your child does not have to already have an IEP for Child Find to apply.

If the school suspects that your child’s difficulty with toileting may be related to a disability, the school should consider its responsibilities under Child Find. 

USBE guidance explains that if a child’s toileting difficulties may be related to a suspected disability, the school should consider the child’s need for an evaluation and conditionally enroll the student while the evaluation is completed.

If you think your child’s toileting needs may be related to a disability, let the school know. You can share information that may help, such as:

• Medical records
• Evaluations
• Information from your child’s preschool
• Early intervention records
• Information about your child’s developmental needs

You can also ask:

“I believe my child’s difficulty with toileting may be related to a disability. Has the school considered Child Find?”

You don’t need to have all the answers before bringing up your concerns. Starting the conversation is an important first step.

 

Can the School Tell Me My Child Can’t Attend?

If someone at school tells you, “Your child can’t come to school because they aren’t toilet trained,” ask the school to explain exactly what they mean and how the disability exceptions were considered.

Utah’s current R277-631 specifically addresses enrollment and toilet training. The rule states:

“An LEA may enroll a school-aged student who is not able to be toilet trained because of a suspected disability that is subject to federal child find requirements or that is described in an IEP or Section 504 plan.”

For students in grades 1–12, school attendance is also compulsory in Utah, which makes it especially important to understand why a child is being told they cannot enroll or attend.

If the school says your child cannot enroll, you can ask:

“Can you please give me the reason for this decision in writing and tell me which Utah law or rule you are relying on?”

If you believe your child’s toileting needs are related to a disability, you can also ask:

“My child’s toileting needs may be related to a disability. Has the school considered Child Find?”

If your child already has an IEP or 504 plan, you can ask:

“How does this decision fit with my child’s IEP or 504 plan and the disability exception in R277-631?”

Sometimes having the conversation in writing can help clear up a misunderstanding and make sure everyone understands the next steps.

 

What About Kindergarten?

Kindergarten is a little different from preschool.

Utah’s toilet-training enrollment requirement applies to school-aged students, including kindergarten. So, if you are enrolling your kindergarten-aged child and they are not yet toilet trained, the requirement may apply. 

However, if your child is not toilet trained because of a disability or suspected disability, the exceptions discussed above are important.

Talk with the school about your child’s needs and ask whether the disability exception and Child Find have been considered.

 

What About Preschool?

This is a really important distinction for Utah families.

Utah’s K–12 toilet-training rule does not include preschool.

Utah State Board of Education (USBE) explains that Utah’s toilet-training law and board rule apply to students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Preschool students are not included under these requirements. 

Utah has several different types of preschool programs, including district preschool, charter school programs, Head Start, private preschools, child-care programs, and other community programs. Because these programs are different, their enrollment policies can be different too.

So if your child is in preschool and the program tells you your child has to be toilet trained, ask what policy or requirement they are using.

 

Don’t automatically assume that Utah’s K–12 toilet-training rule applies to a preschool program. However, if your child qualifies for special education preschool and is not toilet trained, their toileting needs should be considered as part of their individual needs and educational program. 

Tip: If you have concerns about your preschool-aged child’s development or think they may need special education services, you can contact your local school district about requesting an evaluation.

 

What If My Child Is Toilet Trained but Still Has Accidents?

A child can be toilet trained and still have an occasional accident.

The Utah rule recognizes that a child may have an accident and focuses on whether the child can independently take care of their hygiene and change their clothes.

However, if accidents are happening frequently enough that they interfere with your child’s education or the education of other students, the school may determine that the child is not meeting the rule’s definition of toilet trained.

If your child’s accidents are connected to a disability or medical condition, make sure the school knows.

There may be supports or accommodations that need to be considered, especially if your child already has an IEP or 504 plan.

What Should I Do If I Am Concerned?

If your child is not fully toilet trained and you are preparing for school, start by talking with the school about your child’s needs.

You can ask:

• Does my child qualify for an exception under Utah’s toilet-training rule?
• Could my child’s toileting difficulties be related to a disability?
• Has the school considered Child Find?
• If my child already has an IEP or 504 plan, does the plan address the support they need?
• If the school says my child cannot enroll, can you provide that decision and the reason for it in writing?

Most importantly, remember that toileting difficulties can be part of a child’s disability or developmental needs. If your child needs additional support, you do not have to figure it all out on your own.

Talking with the school early can help you understand the requirements, identify available supports, and make a plan for your child’s successful participation in school.

 

The Takeaway for Parents

Utah does have a toilet-training requirement for students enrolling in public school, and the rules are real. But the situation is not as simple as “my child isn’t toilet trained, so the school can just say no.”

There are specific exceptions for students whose toileting difficulties are connected to a disability or suspected disability, including situations covered by Child Find, an IEP, or a Section 504 plan.

If the school tells you that your child cannot enroll or attend because of toileting, 

• ask questions, 
• ask for the decision in writing, 
• explain your child’s disability-related needs 

Sometimes the most important thing you can do is just make sure the school understands why your child isn’t toilet trained and that it may be connected to a disability.

Utah laws and resources

Utah Code § 53G-7-230
Personal care independence standards – School enrollment
Read the Utah law

USBE Rule R277-631
Student Toilet Training Requirements
Read the Utah administrative rule

USBE Exception Rule R277-631-3 (b)

Read the Exception Rule

Federal IDEA : Child Find, 34 CFR § 300.111
Read the federal Child Find requirements

USBE Student Toilet Training Requirements and Considerations for Disabilities
PDF

USBE Technical Assistance
Student Toilet Training Requirements and Considerations for Disabilities
Read the USBE guidance

Utah State Board of Education: Preschool
Learn more about Utah preschool

Utah’s Toileting Practices Toolkit:

Supporting All Children from Preschool to Kindergarten 

 

IEPs & 504s: Parents as Partners Parent Guidebook

 

United Angels Foundation with guest Aubrey with KIDS on the Move Early Intervention: Potty Training for Special Needs Webinar (updated for 2026) 

This article is intended for general information and is not legal advice. Laws and administrative rules can change. If you have a specific concern about your child’s enrollment, attendance, IEP, or disability rights, consider contacting our parent consultants at the Utah Parent Center (801-272-1051).