What are some tips when potting training an Autistic toddler?

Question

We have a 3 year old, Autistic son. He cannot talk, and has communications problems. What are some tips on where to start when it comes to potty training? Any personal advice from parents who have Autistic kids?

Answer 1

No negativity/punishment when he has accidents.

Excessive praise when he does go in the toilet (make sure to hug him, tell him what a good boy he is etc. whenever he goes in the toilet.) you can also try giving rewards such as his favorite snack or play his favorite game

Plenty of chances to go in the toilet, more than you would give a child without a mental disability.

i hope some of this helped

Answer 2

If there is not a need to start potty training now than wait. My son was potty trained at 4 1/2, and because we waited he never had any accidents.

Use visual cues and incentives. Make a sticker chart, let him choose the stickers or pick a theme he loves (Thomas the Tank Engine comes to mind). Give him a reward for every attempt to use the potty, even if he does not go he still willingly went through the motions and will learn the routine. Talk him through every step, and repeat the steps over and over.

We used the "potty training in less than a day" book, it worked wonders, and he truly was potty trained in a day.

Answer 3

Most spectrum kids are trained between the ages of 4-7.  I have 2 sons on the spectrum both are PDD.NOS and were trained at 4, and 33 months.  My boys both were trained because they showed extreme readiness.  They both would hide for a bm, bring a diaper to me, and disrobe.  My younger one is 33m old now and has minimal speech.  My older also did not have functional speech.  3 is young, you may want to wait a bit.

Teach him the sign for potty and say it (close your hand making a fist with your thumb underneath your pointer finger and shake back and forth).

Show him the potty seat.  We use an insert onto the regular toilet.  Sit him on it and sing a little song.  I do this every 2 hours to start, now my son requests to go by signing.  We sing Joel is sitting on the potty the potty the potty Joel is sitting on the potty because he goes on the potty now.  Then we take him off.  At first we praise him for sitting on it.  Then we praise when he goes, and do nothing when he misses.

We went to straight underwear.  The training pants are hard to find in a 4T but found it online at Arctic originals.

Within a few weeks my son is dry at night and naptime.  He only goes on our toilet at home and takes off everything to go.

Answer 4

I do not have an autistic child but I am a mother.  Potty training is not the easiest task no matter the physical or mental status of the child.  A few weeks ago the Today Show (msnbc) ran a special on this matter. You may be able to research the info on their site. There is a woman who actually does this for a living!!!!   Introducing the potty as well as the training should be an adventure, make it something interesting/fun to do and not a burden or task as it already is in your situation. Reward for a job well done when it has been accomplished.  Good luck and bless you for your life challenge.

Answer 5

my friend has a 6 yr old non verbal autistic son who she had fits training. Last summer she hired a professional to come for a day and work with him. It cost $1,500 and with in 6 hrs he was potty ed trained. Here is what they did.. He was put in under ware and taken to the potty every 30 Min's when he did go he was rewarded. when he had an accident he was then taken to the toilet sat down after a few Min's. he had to put back on his soiled pants and returned to the spot of the accident. Then this was repeated 5 times. Hope this helps.