It’s no secret, potty training any child is rarely easy. However, if you are a parent of a child with autism, you may find that you need additional patience and some research-backed strategies to help your child master this life skill.
Even though potty training is challenging, you can alleviate the stress by setting realistic expectations, using some tried-and-true methods for establishing good bathroom habits, and providing a safe and positive space for your child to learn.
The team at Stride Autism Centers understands that parents want to get their kids potty trained as soon as possible. We’ll talk about some of the unique challenges children will face during potty training, how to tell if your child is ready, and give you some tips for keeping the experience positive and successful.
Understanding Unique Challenges
Every child has trouble understanding the concept of using the potty. The toilet can be viewed as something new and scary. Recognizing the sensation of needing to go and requesting to go are very common issues children must overcome to be toilet trained. However, a child with autism will likely have additional challenges with the potty training process.
Sensory Sensitivities
Children with autism often have sensory issues that may make everyday experiences overwhelming and difficult to manage. They may not feel comfortable with the loud flush of the toilet, the cold surface of the toilet seat, or the sensation of pulling their clothing off and on to use the bathroom.
Communication Difficulty
Children with autism may have difficulty with communication, have a limited vocabulary, challenges getting a communication partner’s attention, or have no functional communication. Communication delays make it harder for your child to tell you when they have the urge to go, or when they do not have to go.
Resistance to Change
Routines are important for children with autism, but sometimes those routines may make it harder for children to change. Your child may resist the change from wearing a diaper or pull-up to underwear. They may also resist a new addition to the routine that involves going to the bathroom, especially if they don’t like it.
These challenges can make potty training take longer, but with a little extra patience you can ensure the experience doesn’t become unpleasant. If it does, your child could avoid potty training, which could make the concept even harder for them to accept. Here, we’ll share some tips about keeping potty training stress-free, and learning how to celebrate small victories along the way.
7 Tips for Potty Training a Child with Autism
It will take time, but your child can learn to use the potty like their peers. These tips help keep potty training manageable and maybe a little fun, so that neither you nor your child becomes overly frustrated during the process.
Try to be patient with the process, your child, and yourself! Learning something new takes time and energy. Use these tips to help your child work on this new skill.
1. Begin the Potty Training Journey at Right Time
There’s no specific age to begin potty training, and your child’s readiness may be years before or after another’s. Make sure you wait until you see signs that your child is developmentally ready before you begin the potty training process.
Stride BCBAs can help work with you on recognizing these signs and working towards readiness! Signs of readiness can include:
- Staying dry for longer periods of time
- Very wet diapers when they were recently dry
- Hiding/finding a quiet place to have a bowel movement
- Showing interest or curiosity in the bathroom
- Being able to follow simple instructions or pictures
It’s important to note that staying dry overnight isn’t a requirement to begin potty training. Most children (both children with and without autism) will not have dry nights at the same time they are potty trained during the day. Often this comes months or even years later!
2. Establish a (New) Routine
Your child already has a routine they are used to that involves a diaper and frequent diaper changes. If not, try to change them in the same place (the bathroom if possible) and have them sit on the toilet or start by approaching it.
Adjusting to a new routine will take time. Children with autism thrive on predictability, so ensuring that your new routine is adopted slowly and then followed regularly is key.
Make it clear what times you will visit the restroom, and what will be expected when you visit the restroom. Break this down into small, manageable steps. For instance, before breakfast we will visit the bathroom. First, we will pull down our pants, next, we will sit on the potty, etc.
3. Practice Communication
When you first start toilet training, you will take your child frequently and as initiated by an adult; however, the goal is that they will be able to recognize the need to go and initiate the process independently. This means it’s very important to start to practice communicating about using the potty from the beginning. It’s not important that your child talks, this can be any type of communication.
The biggest thing is that it will eventually be recognizable to others at home, in the clinic, and even at school. To do this, pair the word/sign/picture card “potty” (or whatever you choose), so your child begins to make the connection between the communication and the event.
Even if you are initiating a trip to the restroom, still prompt them to say/communicate “potty.” This will help your child make the connection and lay the foundation to generalize this skill.
4. Use Visual Aids
Visual aids like schedules, charts, or stories can help your child understand the steps involved with using the toilet. A pictorial aid might show that before bedtime, you visit the bathroom.
Once in the bathroom, you follow certain steps (called a task analysis) to use the toilet and wash hands. These aids can be extremely useful for children who have limited vocabulary. If you have a child who struggles with communication, using a visual tool can also help them learn to better communicate their need to use the bathroom.
A sign they can point to or a hand gesture they can use to signal their need to go to the restroom can be a wonderful potty training aid.
5. Use Reinforcement and Rewards
Positive reinforcement is a tool that works well for kids and adults alike. This foundational method helps us learn new skills.
Using strong reinforcers, things your child most enjoys (e.g., extra iPad time, a special small treat/snack, singing their favorite song) helps them learn more quickly.
For example, every time your child indicates a need to use the restroom, or completes any small bathroom-related task, be sure to praise and reward them to help motivate them to continue trying.
6. Address Sensory Issues
Sensory issues can be frustrating for parents and children. Validating and recognizing your child’s sensory issues can help you give them a better environment in which to learn.
If, for instance, your child does not like the feel of toilet paper against their skin, you can offer an alternative method of cleaning like a bidet or flushable wipes. You can also gradually expose your child to sounds and textures that might be different for them.
For instance, if loud sounds upset your child, have them step outside the bathroom and explain that you will flush the toilet and it will sound loud.
Hand dryers in public restrooms can also be overwhelming for many children, so coming up with plans for a different drying method are helpful. You also may want to prepare your child for a loud noise if someone else uses them.
7. Be Patient With Accidents
Accidents are a normal and expected part of the potty training process. Using absorbent underwear or disposable training pants can help you eliminate the frustration often associated with an accident.
Try your best to be gentle with your child, avoiding punishment and focusing on positive reinforcement instead. Gently remind them that when they feel the need to go and keep practicing communication!
In addition to these tips, it’s important to make sure your child’s entire team of clinicians and teachers are supporting your efforts. Start communicating with them prior to starting this process, so they can best support you along the way!
Involving Therapist and Educators
When you decide to potty train your child, you’ll want to alert their team of therapists and educators so they can help. If your child is enrolled in ABA therapy, let the Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) who work with them know you are interested and ready to start, so they can work with you to develop plans and support both at home and in another therapy setting.
Collaboration is key to helping your child become fully immersed in potty training and to help them understand that using the toilet isn’t just an “at home” event. Involving your child’s team of educators and practitioners can not only help support your child, but also support you as you navigate this often stressful phase.
Addressing Setbacks and Regression
Toilet training regression can be a normal part of any child’s potty-training journey. A child with autism may experience setbacks and regression more frequently. Setbacks and regressions can be because of new or stressful situations.
For instance, if your child seems to be fully potty-trained but then begins school, switches therapists, or experiences a major change in their routine, you may notice some potty training regression.
Stay patient, and remember to continue to encourage communication and use positive reinforcement to encourage those toileting related goals.. Accidents do happen and remember, a setback or regression does not mean that you will have to start from the very beginning, work with your child’s clinician to adjust the plan if needed.
It’s Time To Go!
Potty training might not sound like a fun task for any parent, but you can help your child be successful with the right tools and support. Establishing a routine, using visual aids, reinforcing positive behaviors and actions, and addressing sensory challenges can give your child the best opportunity to be successful with potty training.
Be patient, and take it one step at a time. Reach out for help, and remember that setbacks and regressions are normal. For even more help and to have an individualized therapy plan custom-tailored for your child, reach out to Stride Autism Centers. We’d love to meet with you and discuss how we can help your child thrive.
Sources:
Potty Training Children with Special Needs – HealthyChildren.org
Review Paper: Routines in Families of Children With Autism|Rehabilitation.USWR.ac
Potty Training For Autism – The Ultimate Guide|Autism Parenting Magazine
