Autism: Tips for successful toilet training

Consider your child's diet: Dietary changes, such as increasing the fluids and fiber your child consumes, can stimulate their urge to go to the toilet.

Make small changes to your daily routine. Dress your child in clothes that are easy to remove. Change their clothes as soon as they get wet or dirty. Change diapers in or near the bathroom. Involve your child in cleaning up.

When possible, ask your child to dispose of the soiled diaper directly in the toilet. This will help your child understand that excrement should be flushed. Teach your child to flush the toilet and wash their hands each time you change their diaper.

Ensure comfort during toilet visits. Your child should be able to sit comfortably on the toilet. Use a smaller seat and/or provide a stool. If your child refuses to sit on the toilet, teach them how to sit before starting toilet training.

Consider your child's sensory needs. If your child dislikes certain sounds, smells, or objects they touch in the toilet, change those elements if possible.

Make sure you have several pairs of underwear available. It's important that your child wears underwear during the day while potty training. This will allow them to feel when they are wet. (We have ideal underwear for this from the Underwunder brand.) Your child can wear PVC pants or training pants. TE2) over his diaper if necessary. You can put diapers or training pants on him when he is asleep or when he is not at home.

Use a visual schedule. Pictures showing each step of the "toilet routine" can help your child learn the routine and understand what will happen. During their trips to the toilet, show them the visual schedule you created. Demonstrate each step as you complete it.

Use rewards. Give your child their reward immediately after they urinate or defecate in the toilet. The sooner you reward a certain behavior, the more likely you are to repeat it. Rewards related to toilet training are special and should be used exclusively for toilet use.

Practice in different toilets. Using different toilets helps your child understand that they can use the toilet in different places.