Toilet Training for ASD kids

Toilet Training can be a challenge in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. It takes lots of patience and time to train them. It is very important to make the children learn about their body and develop skills necessary for life. It is very important to toilet train the kids before they start going to school as many pre-schools hesitate in accepting children who are not toilet trained. 

There can be many reasons for their delay in toilet training such as 

• Sensory sensitivities
• Communication challenges 
• Self-confidence 
• Short attention span

The first step is to determine whether your child is ready to be trained. For this, you need to understand the following

• Is the child aware of the difference between being dry and wet?
• Can the child remain dry for two hours at a time?
• Is the child able to sense when he needs to urinate or have a bowel movement?

If your child is in a resistant phase, you might take some extra time to prepare him mentally before starting the training process. Also, the child should be the first toilet trained and then potty trained.

Steps to toilet training

First of all, stop using diapers at all. Make your child completely diaper-free. Keep extra loose pants for accidents.
Start taking him to the toilet after every 30-45 minutes and prompt him to say "I want to pee". 
Note the timings of his fluid intake and peeing. Accordingly, take him to the toilet and instantly reward him then and there with a verbal appreciation or any other high-value reinforcer. 

Some important tips

• Don't Ask, Tell - Don't wait for children to tell you they need to use the bathroom or to say yes when asked if they need to go. Just tell them it's time for a toilet trip.
• Communicate - Use the same simple words, signs, or pictures during each trip. Make sure everyone is using the same plan who so ever works with the child.
• Make toilet trips comfortable - Child should be provided footstool while peeing or should be made comfortable while sitting on the toilet.
• Make a Visual Schedule - Most of the children are visual learners. Pictures may help your child know what to expect during toilet trips. Take pictures of each and every step. Place the pictures in order on a piece of paper to show your child each step of the toilet trip. There are websites with toileting pictures that you can take a printout.
• Positive Reinforcement - Make a list of your child's favorite things like food, toys, and videos. Think of which ones will be the easiest to give your child as soon as he/she urinates or has a bowel movement in the toilet.
• Practice in different bathrooms - Using different bathrooms helps your child know he/she can use different toilets in different places
• Make toilet training fun and rewarding - Make going into the bathroom a party, sing, dance, have balloons in the bathroom, place pictures of his favorite cartoon characters on bathroom walls.

Most importantly, never demotivate your child or use discouraging language whenever accidents happen. It takes a lot of time, patience, and consistency. So keep trying and never give up. Good luck!