Inside the Breakthrough

We're Still Whispering About This? The Hidden Epidemic of Incontinence

Written by Dr. Tiffani S. Bacon, PT | Oct 10, 2025 7:53:54 PM

by Dr. Tiffani S. Bacon, PT, DPT | Pediatric Pelvic Health Specialist & Inventor of The Bladder Breakthrough™

 

When you hear the phrase “childhood health epidemic,” what comes to mind?

Obesity? Screen time? Mental health?

What about pediatric incontinence?

Crickets. Exactly.

Despite affecting 1 in 5 children, pediatric incontinence remains one of the most underdiscussed, undertreated, and utterly misunderstood conditions in children's health today. And no — we’re not just talking about a few nighttime accidents. We're talking about life-disrupting bladder and bowel dysfunction that leaves children feeling ashamed, isolated, and anxious. And parents? Frustrated, confused, and often dismissed.

As a pediatric physical therapist with a front-row seat to this issue, let me be clear:
➡️ This is not a “phase.”
➡️ It is not lazy parenting.
➡️ It’s not something they’ll just “grow out of.”

This is a medical condition with real, treatable roots.
And the longer we ignore it, the more damage it causes — physically, emotionally, socially, and developmentally.

🧠 The Real Stats (That Should Scare Us Into Action)

🔹 20% of school-aged children experience incontinence symptoms — ranging from daytime leaks to nighttime bedwetting, constipation, and sudden urgency.
🔹 Many suffer in silence for years, often misdiagnosed or under-evaluated.
🔹 Parents are routinely told to “wait it out,” use sticker charts, or limit fluids — outdated advice that does nothing to address the root cause.

And it’s not just the accidents. These kids deal with:

  • Bullying and embarrassment

  • Disrupted sleep and missed activities

  • Anxiety, low self-esteem, and social withdrawal

We are watching a generation of children drown in shame — and we’re treating it like a potty-training hiccup.

🚫 Why This Isn’t Just a “Pee Problem”

Pediatric incontinence is a whole-body, whole-family issue. It affects school performance, family dynamics, mental health, and even access to activities like sleepovers, sports, or camp.

Worse?
It disproportionately affects children with ADHD, sensory processing disorders, autism, and trauma backgrounds — the very children who often have the least access to specialty care.

And for parents seeking answers?
There’s no roadmap.
There’s no coach.
There’s no clear path forward.

Until now.

✨ Meet the Solution: The Bladder Breakthrough™

After years of treating kids in the clinic and wishing I could give families more tools at home, I developed The Bladder Breakthrough™ — a clinician-designed, gamified, home lifestyle system that helps kids conquer incontinence with confidence and play.

We’ve made pelvic health:

  • ✨ Fun through edu-play gaming

  • ✨ Accessible through virtual tools and support

  • ✨ Empowering for families with step-by-step guidance

From our “Poop Patrol™” module to our Bladder Defender™ game and hydration challenges, this system was built to equip parents, not shame them, and to encourage kids, not scare them.

🚀 Where Do We Go From Here?

We need to normalize the conversation. We need to stop whispering.
Because every child deserves to feel proud of their body — not humiliated by it.

If you’re a:
👨‍👩‍👧 Parent of a child who’s still struggling
🏥 Pediatric clinician who sees this daily
🎓 School or organization supporting children’s wellness
🧠 Health innovator looking to license breakthrough solutions

Let’s connect. Because the world has waited long enough for a bladder revolution — and this is it.

💥 Join the movement. End the shame. Spark the breakthrough.

Learn more at https://www.elevacarehub.com or DM me for collaboration/licensing.

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