how to potty train a toddler with autism?

Shauna - posted on 01/01/2012

Hi Justine , My 3 1/2 yr. old daughter is autistic and still not potty trained yet.. I agree with Natalie ,you can't push them they will just take interest in it on there own...Just like when they start playing with different toys all of a sudden its the same thiing. She is in an ABA program eavery morning m-f in her pre-school.They just started putting her on the potty more often. I an also gonna try when she is home after schooll!! I heard it cn take VERY long time for them to grasp the concept all you can do is be patient. You should try to get him into an ABA therapy program,or if he already getting it ,more therapy .Thtats what we are working on . Its a VERY long process like everything is,unfortunately , GOOD LUCK!! -Shauna

Charly - posted on 08/29/2011

my son is the same way and I can't find a way to potty trained him and he can't talk yet and he is three so I know how you feel

Justine - posted on 02/03/2010

Dori Barton I just tried it this week and it seems to be working thank god!!! :D thanks all for the tips xxx

Dori - posted on 02/03/2010

Have you tried a potty chart... My daughter does not have autism but this is how I trained her...

I created calendar type chart, went to the dollar store and bought stickers that she liked.. When she went in the potty, she got to put up a sticker.. when the chart was filled, she got to go to th store for a prize... Not sure if this will work in your situation, but its worth a try if you haven't already...

Natalie - posted on 02/01/2010

Hi Justine,
I'm a professional who works with children with autism (as well as a mum). Potty training a child without autism is hard enough – I had great difficulties with my 3 year old daughter. Children on the spectrum are so individualised, so I believe you need to go back to get some professional advice – perhaps get a referral for a continence nurse at your local hospital (I don't know what services are available). The answer will depend on your child's comprehension and what communication system he has in place – eg PECs system using photos or if you use social stories, a step by step social story outlining each step with photos. However, if your son is not ready you can't push him, despite the pressures of the school. They need to make for him. I learnt the hard way with my daughter toilet training her with pre-school pressure if ended up with her having nightmares etc. and then she practically toilet trained herself about 6 months later. It really needs to be child led. Go back to your therapists or your doctor/paediatrician for advice. I hope this helps and good luck.
Natalie.

Justine - posted on 01/24/2010

thanks all for the tips, unfortunately in my country it doesn't work this way. The doctors from CDAU told me that they will help me for his potty training DUH but didn't receive any help at all and told me that I have to do it alone. At least pre-school here accepts kids still in their nappy (at least he'll learn socializing a bit) so I'll take him there till he is full potty trained to start school.

Brandy - posted on 01/24/2010

My older son is autistic and he was 4 1/2 before he was fully potty trained. He went to the ECDD (Early Childhood Developmentally Delayed) class at 3. Since it is a special education program they are responsible for changing diapers. We eventually went with underwear to get him to go and they cleaned him up when he went in those too. No matter what they can not discriminate against your child due to his disability. If you are going to a public school they should be able to write it into his IEP. Good luck!

Sierra - posted on 01/24/2010

frist the school has to let him go due to his medical issue and autism is a medical issue my little one has autism and it was very hard to potty train we took her to the store and let her pick out her own potty and big girl under wear and it took three mo but she has now went backwards and is back in dippers which can happen keep your head up one other thing you can try we have a jar with a lid and everytime she goes in teh potty we put a coin in it and she knows when she can go to teh potty for 2 weeks with out dippers she gets to spend that money it may help

Kat - posted on 01/24/2010

I agree with Amy, there must be some sort of extra help out there for parents like yourselve who have these issues, someone who will support you and maybe fnd a school that will take him... Best of Luck

Iridescent - posted on 01/23/2010

Get ahold of an advocate. He has a developmental disability and they have to provide services, in this case at school, in spite of that. Here it is called PACER, I'm not sure what it is there. They DO have to accept him, they DO have to change his diapers. My son is also autistic and wasn't fully toilet trained until he was 7. We sent diapers, wipes, clothing with, and they had to change him (from age 3 on). It is NOT his fault he isn't toilet trained!