Autism - Tips for toilet training
@dont_pick_your_nose (2279)
Australia
May 21, 2011 7:18am CST
I have a 5 year old Autistic Son who i have extremly difficult time toilet training. We have purchased numerous aids such as pull ups, regular underwear, pottys specialised seats, feel wet to learn nappies, tried using training charts and rewards systems, toilet timing scheme and have now been trying an Elmo DVD called Elmos Potty Time, which is aimed at teaching preschoolers the fundamentals of toileting. I am however am having limited success. Although i have caught him on the toilet for a wee on the odd occassion, he has no interest in letting me know before hand and trying to interrupt and number 2 could bring the house down... Have you trained a special needs child to use the toilet? How idid you do it??
Or are you having the same troubles as me?? If so what have you tried. I would really appreciate some helpful responses as would do many other trying parents around the world!
1 person likes this
3 responses
@Koko2181 (13)
•
14 Jun 11
I trained my son by bribing him with his favorite song. I would have him sit there and he could listen to it. When he would pee I would give him a small reward say his favorite treat. Once you get him to sit on the potty easily. Start toiletting him every hour and reward him when he goes with the treat. My son liked charts so he could see his progression. He is HFA. Charts and stuff really excite him. Break down the whole potty training into small steps and goals. Gradually he'll get there.
@dont_pick_your_nose (2279)
• Australia
14 Jun 11
I have also tried the singing approach lol i wonder how many parents are in the bathroom singing nursery rhymes trying to make the children like visiting the toilet. I think that a reward like treats or lollies or stars or a reward chart where they can see them adding up as they do the right thing. I think a star chart can work for many things and the more the merrier!! So stock up.
@Cutie18f (9551)
• Philippines
22 May 11
Like hardworking gurl, I also have no knowledge about this, but would be interested to hear from those who have hands-on experience regarding kids with autism. I think kids like your son need to be told several times how basic things like pee or poo should be done. Maybe you can try equipping him with a bell that he can use when he wants to do any of these two.
1 person likes this
@dont_pick_your_nose (2279)
• Australia
22 May 11
That's the difficult part if he had a bell he would ring it all the time LOL but thankyou your suggestions are great and exactly what i was looking for, no mum has all the right answers its process of elimination. I am fortunate that my son can speak some words already and with the help of his speech pathologist, and enrollig in a special school i hope the world becomes his oyster 1 day.
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
21 May 11
Hi there,
Sadly outside of knowing a long distance friend I have absolutely no knowledge on how to suggest. I noticed that you posted this five hours ago and maybe the responses will come soon. However, I did go online and found a really great website in which is dedicated to Autism Awareness and noticed another mom there also asking for advice on how to potty train her five year old.
What I liked about it is that there were a lot of moms there suggesting first hand experiences and how they handles it. I saw some creative ways where some actually decorated the potty seats for the child to draw attention.
Do take a moment and review the site because there are a lot of other tips in other areas too. I hope this helps because it potty training in itself is very frustrating sometimes.
Not a referral link:
http://www.circleofmoms.com/autism/potty-training-5-year-old-with-autism-546571
1 person likes this
@dont_pick_your_nose (2279)
• Australia
22 May 11
Yes it's a big hassle for alot of parents in my situation i guess it was abit of a stab in the dark, but with trial and error we find the answers to our problems... i was really hoping to hear of a miracle cure or a trick or tip that helpsed from other parents not just disabled, i can work out which can be applied with my child and which maybe more suitable for another mylotters family issues. Thanks for the response and i did help me feel a little more heard even if i cant have the answer i seek today. Thatis very much what i am after and hope that by posting a few discussion with the specific troubles i have had personally with my son and his Autistic traits and social troubles, i may find someone who has been there done that onto the next hurdle. Your avatar also makes me smile, quite a trusting innoncent lookig girl! Thanks i will check out your link and suggest any other mother to also do this whenever you get the chance... Post your questions your in the minority but by far the only people going through these challenges and there are people who can help.
