Toilet Training for Individuals With Autism & Related Disorders

The unfamiliar environment of a bathroom can be a source of anxiety for your child.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or simply autism, is a lifelong condition that affects approximately one child in every 100. There is a wide variance in the level of disability of autistic children, ranging from emotional, social and language skills to motor and self-help skills. Toilet training an autistic child is much like toilet training a child without special considerations. The end goal is the same: a child who can master their body's signals, walk to the bathroom and use the potty without reminders or accidents. ASD-diagnosed children may need additional time to understand and adapt to toilet training, but most can be expected to master toilet training through patience and repetition.

Sensory issues

One of the more common issues ASD children face is their sensitivity to touch, sight and sound. Going potty on a toilet may be a source of anxiety to a child not used to the loud sound of a toilet flushing, to the feeling of wearing underwear for the first time. Introduce your child slowly, but regularly, to the toilet and the bathroom to allow them time to process the information their senses receive in that environment.

Willingness to train

In general, The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that children are ready to toilet train when they prefer clean, dry diapers, and prefer to be changed immediately after they urinate or defecate in their diaper. Potty training may be incomprehensible to children diagnosed with ASD. Their maturity level and understanding of the purpose of potty training varies greatly based upon the severity of their condition.

Communication and rewards

Find a method to communicate with your ASD child that makes sense to them. Let them know a few minutes in advance that they will need to use the potty soon. If your child experiences trouble using the bathroom due to sensory issues, Healthychildren.org suggests rewarding them for entering the bathroom. Some examples of rewards are stickers, small food treats or time to play with a special toy. If they complete the next set of steps, such as pulling their pants down, reward them appropriately.

Patterns

ASD children, much like children without special needs, follow patterns in their behavior. They likely need to use the potty after eating, after naps, or before bed time. Placing them near the bathroom or on the toilet during these times consistently can help them understand that the appropriate place to go to the bathroom is on the potty. Once they have trips to the bathroom ingrained in their routine, they may want to cooperate more fully with potty training.

Considerations

Enlist the help of health care providers to give you backup strategies for potty training your ASD child. Staying consistent is the key to potty training success. Reward your child for each step she makes during this process and you will achieve your goal.

References

• Healthychildren.org: Autism
• Healthychildren.org: Toilet Training Children with Special Needs