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Just got the diagnosis of ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) he's 4 yrs old how to potty train???

Wendy - posted on 11/19/2010 ( 5 moms have responded )

My guy's name is Ben and he now has what we know as ASD. We've tried a million ways to get him to potty train. Sometimes we can get him to pee in the toilet standing up, but it turns into a physical fight to get him to sit on the toilet. He's in pull-ups because we can't afford all the laundry costs. We've tried taking toys away, turning off the tv, washing only in cold water, putting underwear on him, setting a timer and more. He just doesn't seem to think the toilet is better then pullups. He will even change from underwear back into pullups. My furniture and rugs can't take the damage anymore from his accidents when pullups aren't in the house. He'll ask to go pee when we are out of the house, but will just sit in a chair or stand in a corner and pee at home. Any ideas???

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Sandy - posted on 11/27/2010

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I have 3 kids with ASD. The twins are 6yr and one is still in pull ups for BM. He was only just potty trained after he started Kindergarten, the teachers works with me and him. It could be a sensory issue. My son didnt like the sound of the toilet flushing so at school they gave him headphones to wear to muffle the sound. I would rather have him in pull ups than holding it in all day like he used too. He would come home from school and run up the stairs get a pull up then soak it. He also has constipation problems so I am not pushing him to get out of pull ups. This is a common thing with ASD kids.

Wendy - posted on 11/26/2010

We are trying this but am not getting much of a response, he just wants nothing to do with the toilet now. I can get him to brush his teeth (if I do it there's a fight on.), he'll bath and let me wash his hair, but he doesn't want anything to do with the toilet at all.

Wendy - posted on 11/26/2010

Just applied for it, we couldn't apply until we had a diagnosis here in Ontario, Canada. I've tried reading to him and getting him a fun toilet ring, he has a stool and won't use it. He wouldn't pee in the toilet at all until he could stand on the floor and pee like his father and even that is hard to get him to do.

Iridescent - posted on 11/20/2010

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First off, if you're not already taking advantage of it, by 3 or 4 years old in various states and countries pull ups and diapers are covered by insurance for children with a medical reason for them, including autism.

Check into PECS - we put up routine cards and tape them to various places they are needed. We have one in the shower showing the steps to shower. It's allowed our oldest to shower independently. The same can be done for toileting, and often is.

Simone - posted on 11/19/2010

my little man shaune has asd too he is nearly 4 i had to use a system that everytime he goes he gets his fave thing i also have steps at the toilet so he see's it as safe and also put his fave pic of thomas on the toilet wall so he see's the toilet as fun he still has a few accidents but this sytem is working for me :) hope this helps.....