Help with potty training autistic child?

Question

My son who is 4 is autistic and still not potty trained. We have tried EVERYTHING. We have him in regular underwear, take him to the bathroom automatically every hour and tell him to go, we have pictures of all the steps to use the toilet up in the bathroom, his preschool and babysitters are using the same thing to keep consistant yet he will not let us know when he needs to go. Any ideas on how to get him to prompt us when he needs to go? I am afraid he will start kindergarden in pull ups and i don't want that for him!

Answer 1

Depending on the level of his autism, 4 years old may be too young to train him. Some children with autism cannot be trained until they are much older. (And are you sure that his caregivers in the daytime are following the same consistent training methods that you are using? Many times daycares and sitters will be more lax in their methods, making training much more difficult!! Require them to use a log, and write everything in it.)

If your child is ready, here are some tips I have used in training students in my classroom (keeping in mind of course that every one these precious angels are TOTALLY different!!! lol!)

--Use an auditory timer to signal the time to go to the bathroom, in addition to the PECs symbol. Some kids need an additional signal, and respond to a timer bell.

--Keep the reward in the bathroom so that it is immediate, and he doesn't have to wait for it. And it doesn't have to be edible. It could be five minutes with a favorite vibrating or musical toy that is just for that rewarding purpose only! I have even made a PECs symbol with 'bathroom' and the picture if that particular reward toy on it so he will know he can get it when he goes without biting me (or himself!)

--I don't use pull-ups, either, when we are first starting out. I know that sounds gross, but they are just too much like diapers, and children (especially kids with autism) need that sensory input of feeling the wetness on their skin to realize that they need to be doing something besides playing or working. After making a loud "OH NO IT"S BATHROOM TIME!!!" a few times, they start making a connection with the PECs symbol, the bathroom and their wet bottoms. You can slowly progress to Pullups, and your laundryroom and family will appreciate it, but sometimes it requires it to make the connection.

Anyhow, these were just some ideas that have worked in my classroom. I hope they help you a little!

Answer 2

You've gotten some great answers. Another idea tyo increase the sensory input and help the child realize they need to go is to put on underpants under the pullup. It does mean more laundry, but does increase their awareness. This can also be useful for the bus ride home from school, when you can't take them every 15 minutes. If the child is high functioning enough to be "into" super heros, etc... you could get them character underpants and then make a big deal, "Oh no! You got your spidy underpants all wet!" You might also give your child some level of control in the process by letting them flush the toilet, put a sticker on a star chart, etc... Good luck.

Answer 3

A 4 year old with autism will not be easy to train. Get a picture symbol and have him hand it to you every time you take him to the bathroom. Instead of taking him in every hour, take him every 15 minutes if possible. Usually you will get some kind of sign from him that he has to go. He will start throwing a fit for no apparent reason or grab himself. I am currently toilet training a 6 year old with autism and have toilet trained several children with autism. Good Luck to you.Also when he goes, reward him with a small piece of chocolate or something.

Answer 4

This is definitely a difficut task you are undertaking!! The other responders gave some good advice with using visuals. You really should treat this in a behavioral manner. Use rewards, praise or anything that motivate your child. I'm attaching some websites that you might be able take some helpful hints from. One piece of advice. Take him more than one time an hour. I've only had success with my students if we did every 15-20 minutes. He might not be aware of his need to go if his attention is elsewhere (heck this is true of a lot of kids with or without autism). Kids with autism tend to really need a behavioral approach with potty training. If he isn't ready to tell you when he has to go due to developmental reasons he might do better on a more frequent schedule. I hope you find these websites helpful!


http://www.tacanow.com/PTinfo.htm

http://groups.msn.com/TheAutismHomePage/toilettraining.msnw

http://www.behavioradvisor.com/Autism&Toileting.html

Amazon.com also has lots of books on the subject. I hope you find a method that does the trick for you. It might take a while to find it, but it is achievable!!!

Best of luck to you!

Answer 5

Remember it takes our kids more time to actually process the whole bathroom experience. Think about all of the steps involved in going to the bathroom. Kids must be fully aware of what their bodies are telling them (bladder full, send message to brain, getting body to toilet, releasing, flush toilet). There are lot of steps to remember here!! You need quite an understanding of body awareness to successfully use the bathroom. Continue using the picture cards, schedule, and somewhat regular routine when it comes to the bathroom. Be patient. It's not the end of the world if he does enter kindergarten needing pull ups.

Answer 6

Acquiring your toddler out of nappies depends on whether or not a constant technique is consider. For that reason, if she is at nursery or with a youngster minder, nanny or relatives, everyone demands to take the identical method.
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Answer 7

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Answer 8

I've seen using a soda bottle to urinate in work with an autistic child. It fascinated him and captured his attention.
Good luck!

Answer 9

demonstate it for him, show him what you do when you need to "go" dont pull yuor pants down! but show him what needs to be done. and tell him it is bad for his body to not tell you he needs to go. good luck!