Toilet Training
- toddlerswithtism
- Nov 30, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 11, 2024
🚽🧻 Toilet Training can be a huge endeavor for any child, especially a child with Autism.
🧸 Sensory 🧸
There is so much more that comes into play than we may even realize. A lot of children with Autism have various sensory issues. Sensory related things to consider may be: - how does the room look - how does it smell - is the seat too hard - is the seat too soft - is the seat too cold - what's the temperature in the room - is the room too bright - is the feeling of their pants/underwear/diaper down their legs uncomfortable for them - the sound of flushing - the sound of running water - is there a faucet dripping when not in use - the sound of the ventilation fan - the feel of the bathroom floor or a rug - is it better for them to have a step stool to put their feet on or to dangle their legs - the feeling of wiping with dry toilet paper versus wet wipes
🧠 Interoception 🧠
A child may not know their bladder is full, sometimes our organs have issues communicating it's needs to the brain. As a result a child may be unaware they need to use the bathroom.
👣 Inertia 👣
Some people really struggle to start or to finish a task, the brain and the body doesn’t communicate well. Even if they know their bladder is full, they may have a lot of difficulty getting their bodies to actually get started on the task of going to the bathroom.
🗣 Language Delays 🗣
Another thing to consider is a language delay. If they have a receptive language delay they may not be able to understand what's going on, why are they in the bathroom, what are you expecting them to do. If expressive language delay, they may have difficulty letting you know they need to go or what is bothering them about the potty training process. Either of these can cause a child to be fearful, whiny, upset and even meltdown.
🩺 Diapers/Incontinence Supplies 🩺
Most insurances will pay for diapers after a certain age (typically 3 or 4) just ask your pediatrician for a prescription if you are in America. Wouldn't hurt to check if you're in other countries too.
🧷 Signs of Readiness 🧷
If your child is taking off their diaper, exploring their diaper, curious about the toilet, bothered by messy pants - they *might* be ready. If you begin the process and the child seems distressed, then back off and try again in a few months. Children with Autism may not be ready for potty training as young as other children. Additionally the potty training process may take longer and could take several attempts. It's not uncommon for Autistic children to not be ready until they are older. Some may not be potty trained until 5 years old, sometimes even 10. It's okay.
⚠️ Resistance ⚠️
Don't force a child through the process if they are resistant. Try to understand what's causing their resistance. Forcing a child can lead to an aversion of the process, bladder issues, regression, anxiety, will likely result in meltdowns, and much undue stress. If it's not going well after a few days, give it a break, try a different approach after a few weeks.
📶 Tips/Strategies 📶
- reach out to your therapists for more individualized ideas
- set a timer and have your child sit on the potty for a certain number of minutes every instance the timer goes off (ex. they may sit on the potty for 5-10 minutes every hour)
- you could spend a couple weeks documenting the diaper changes, then have them sit on the potty based on your notes - rewards can be very helpful with potty training, ensure to reward them for sitting even if they aren't completely successful
- a reward chart (ex. like a sticker every attempt, once they reach 30 stickers they get a new toy) - breaking the process into small parts, and teaching each part separately before attempting the entire process (ex. pulling pants up & down, sitting and getting up, wiping washing hands) - visual supports, pictures placed in the bathroom that show the steps - social stories, short picture stories that explain the process
- change the lighting or seat, make other changes based on their sensory needs
- have them help by dumping dirty diapers into toilet to show that's where poop goes
- let them look at a book, have a toy, use their tablet while attempting to potty
- aim to make the the experience of using the toilet a comfortable one
- expect setbacks, sometimes you can overcome these with the right support
💫 We'd love to hear about what worked for you! Please drop your tips and experiences in the comments so others can scroll through and read.
🌐 Resources:
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