Suggestions That Work for Potty Training

L.,

This is a response that I posted for another request about potty training with autism...

(I am a teacher of students with autism. I would suggest using some visuals, social stories, and rewards with your son. I am not an expert since I have only had to potty train one student but have discussed this topic with many parents. Many of them waited until closer to school age to potty train too. It just seems as they get a little older they understand it much better. When I did potty train a student we made a potty schedule for her and pretty much trained her bladder when it was time to go. Every time she followed her potty schedule (step by step pictures) she earned some soda since caffine is a diuretic. She also got to put a sticker on a chart. When we started the process she was much like your son and had no sense of being wet or dirty. She quickly picked it up and did very well as long as we followed her schedule.
Here is a website with some pictures that may help you out: http://www.setbc.org/pictureset/SubCategory.aspx?id=32
Good Luck!)

I hope it helps.

2 moms found this helpful

Autistic children are very unique and very different in their own pattern and their own way. I have worked with and helped raise several children whom are Autistic, and you can't really put a time frame on their development. You have to go at their pace. They have a pattern in life, and they are set to their own "schedule".

But something that has worked with some of my clients is a "treat" system. You find something they really enjoy, and respond to, and everytime they "go potty" you reward them with that. You can never punish a child that has Autism if they have an accident, they will regress.

Praise them and encourage htem to use the "potty" and then give them a reward when they do. They will get in this habit of using the toilet.

1 mom found this helpful

Boys love target practice. It worked wonders. Give him a piece of toilet paper to sink in the stream.

I made a big deal about potty training to my daughter and we made a special trip to WalMart and I let her pick out her potty and stickers. When we got home she decorated it and I put a Simba sticker in the middle of the potty. When it was time to go potty she would "pee pee on Simba" which she found hilarious and she felt important to have her own potty. I also made sure she went potty before we left the house and 30 minutes after she drank anything. There was also no liquids an hour or two before bed.
Also, I have often heard it is not the best to reward kdis with food. It may lead to obesity and eating disorders because children associate food with feelings/emotions rather than eating out of hunger. Just something to think about. Good Luck

My autistic granddaughter was 5 before she was potty trained. Just be consistant (keep him in underware,not pull-ups whenever he's awake) and know it's going to take awhile. Sorry I can't be of more help.
D.-mom of 9

First off have you heard of Mon Avie? They have done a study on this juice and Autism and I have several testimonials on results on learning and behavior. I would love to send you info. if you send me an email I can forward the studies! Next I waited until my son Brady was 3 to potty train and it only took a week! We watched The Bear in the Big Blue House video Potty Time with Bear over and over and also read the Elmos sing along book Potty Time with Elmo and Everyone Poops. He was potty trained the second day but it took a week for him to get comfortable pooping. I had to show him how mommy and daddy poops and made a big deal about waving bye as we flush, etc. Once I got him to poop on the toilet a couple of times and he realized it wasn't a big deal he was potty trained! Good luck :)

S. Henry
____@____.com

I know you posted this quite a while back, my niece is severly autistic and mostly non verbal, she is 5 and potty trained. Her mom ( My sister, she happens to be my hero )
used M&Ms as a reward for going potty. She also had a stack of books in the bathroom and would sit and read when my niece showed signs of getting ready to need to do #2. It took some time but eventially my niece put the sensation together with the action and she now leads someone to the bathroom by the hand when she needs to go! It can be done! Also lots of clapping, praise and encouragement!!
Good luck
B.

Wow Lou, that's a tough one. My grandchildren's parents had a potty party when they finally got it right. I mean a full blown party! It was a big deal. There are also some cute videos, but I have to say they were more entertaining to us than to the kids!
Good Luck. I'll send blessings your way.
MeMa R.

My son was very stubborn with potty training and was almost 4 before we broke him. He liked having something to pee on, like cheerios or cigarette butts. To get him to stop pooping his pants I made him wear underwear, not pull-ups, they feel too much like diapers. When he pooped in them, I made him wash them out himself. After about 2 or three times of that, he didn't want to go in his pants anymore. We also got a little seat that goes on top of our toilet. He didn't want to use the "Baby" potty, but the hole on ours was too big and he couldn't get comfortable. Another thing that I noticed is that he would go hide to poop. I tried keeping a closer eye and making him go to the bathroom at those times. In the very beginning you should try taking them after every meal and about every half hour. The more often you take them, the more likely you are to actually go on the pot, and of course praise and reward when they do. We got a reward chart. When he did what he was supposed to, he got a sticker on the chart and when it was full he got a reward of his choosing which was the "goal" we set up in the beginning. Every time he had an accident we reinforced that he was not being good, so he didn't get a sticker and without stickers he couldn't have his prize. We also reminded him what of he had to do to "earn" stickers at that time. Most importantly, be consistent. Talk to sitters and anyone else that cares for the child and make sure you are all following the same plan. I think that was part of the problem with my son.

I truly believe that my step-son is autistic. We had a lot of issues with potty training. We tried treats, we tried making him change his own clothes, leaving him in the clothes, you name it we tried it. He was somewhere between 3 and 4. We finally relaxed and eventually he trained himself. I don't believe that you can push him, I do believe that you can praise and support him and it will happen on it's own. Treats are always a plus, but as I said, don't always work.

My friends son is Autistic and she incouraged him with his favorite foods. He like Cheetos and she gave him so many Cheetos for going potty and gave him so many for a bowl movement. This helped him and he is 5 now so this may help for your gradnson.

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE! Most children with autism need more reinforcement than normal so whatever you choose to do keep it up. Lots of words also and praises!

The book "Toilet Training in Less than a Day" by Azrin and Foxx is a great resource. It was first developed for toilet training typically developing children but the methods have been applied to special needs children with much success (you can find many resesarch artilces to support this, it may be referred to as the Foxx-Azrin method). Good luck.