Potty training and autism - potty training an autistic child in just a few easy steps
When deciding to potty train my autistic 5-year old, with the help of her OT therapist, we came up with a number of strategies before deciding on which one would best suit my child. I knew I had to teach her about hygiene such as brushing her teeth, washing her hands and potty training just to name a few. When her OT suggested the strategy below I was sceptical. It seemed as though she didn’t have any sensation of when she had gone or even the feeling of wanting to go. But with persistence, we are finally starting to see some improvement. I will be honest, it hasn’t been easy and it’s taken 4 weeks to see just slight improvements but with continued persistence, I am hopeful. This may not work for every child but it is a strategy that is working for us.
Getting ready to potty train
This may sound silly but being prepared to potty train your autistic child is important. For this strategy, your going to need social cues, either a picture chart with step by step instruction on how to pee in the toilet or a social story. We decided on an image chart which we have on the wall near the toilet where our little one can see it. You are also going to need a ton of pants. There is still going to be many accidents for what will feel like forever. You will also need some kind of reward, this can be anything that interests your child that you are able to reward them with at toilet times. We have chosen to have a bag of m&m’s in the bathroom only because she likes chocolate but doesn’t get much of it. I found this part to be quite challenging as I don’t allow food in the bathroom so I have had to put my worries aside and just let it be for the time being. You are also going to need your child's favourite toy, a cuddly bear, a dinosaur or whatever it is your child can’t be without. In our case, it is a toy cat she takes everywhere. The last things you are going to need is a lot of patience and persistence.Â
Step 1 - Making the bathroom fun
Making the bathroom a fun place is for your child is probably the most important thing you can do when potty training. A child who fears the bathroom is going to have a meltdown when it’s time to potty so spend time in the bathroom with your child. Read books, dance, sing songs, whatever it takes to make the bathroom a fun place for your child.
Step 2 - Ditch the diapers
You will often feel tempted to put on a diaper especially when you are feeling so overwhelmed by all the accidents that ARE going to happen. Make sure that all caregivers for your child are aware of your strategy and what is expected when they are in the care of another person. Try, if at all possible, to be home with your child for a whole week or two while the potty training is happening. There will be times you need to go out to the shop but refrain from putting a diaper on your child.Â
Set up a timer to go off at every 30-40 minutes. Each time the timer goes off take your child to the potty and let them sit there for 10-15 seconds. While they are on the potty let them hold their favourite toy, sing with them or read to them. Make the experience a positive one. It’s not important that they do anything on the potty at this stage. Just having them sit on the potty is progress.
Step 4 - Reward reward reward
Each time your child sits on the potty for the specified time reward them right away. Do not leave rewards for later. Autistic children need immediate rewards. We give 1 m&m for each time she sits on the potty and 4 if she does a pee on the potty and 5 if she does a number 2, but we haven’t yet got to a number 2 just yet. We let her choose the colour m&m’s shed like to stop a meltdown if we were to choose.
Step 5 - Patience, persistence and consistency
Step 5 is THE MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL. It is so important to be patient, your child won’t get it right away but with persistence and consistency eventually, it will happen. Autistic children thrive on routine so make it a routine for however long it takes and you will see the rewards pay off.
