Tips for potty training an autistic child

Any issue surrounding potty training an autistic child will be similar to those issues you would meet when potty training a typically developing child.

However the issues faced with potty training an autistic child may in some cases be larger and less easy to overcome.

Generally reported by parents of autistic children are their child’s sensitivities and fears surrounding potty training. Most autistic children will have autistic sensory issues. The noise the toilet makes can cause fear in many autistic toddlers.

The rushing or whirling water leaving the toilet can upset an autistic child. As well as these other sensitivity issues can cause fear and anxiety in the autistic toddler.

Some autistic toddlers may fail to recognize the feelings or cues that will alert them to the fact that they need to use the potty or toilet. This can be exasperated at times when the child may have a change of schedule or routine this can cause the autistic toddler to sometimes forget the feelings or cues when they need to use the potty.

Dependant upon the severity of the child's disability, age, and his or her environment, potty training success may occur in as little as a few weeks. It's also not uncommon for the process to take several months or more.

Many parents of autistic toddlers become confused as to when they should begin potty training their child, as with typically developing children most kids become aware of needing to go potty. They may become distressed after soiling themselves, they may alert you to the fact they need to go etc. this is the same for autistic kids.

However parents of autistic kids should also bear in mind their autistic child’s psychological age and disabilities, and should not try to force the issue until their child is of an age psychologically to be able to cope with potty training routines.

Some of the signs of physical readiness you may notice can include your autistic infant expressing their need urinate or have a bowel movement by the change in their facial expressions, posture or by what they say. Maybe they are staying dry for at least 2 hours at a time, and having regular bowel movements.

Once you feel your autistic infant is ready to begin potty or toilet training you should make everyone involved in your child’s care aware of your decision to begin potty training.

Many parents of autistic kids have found great support and help by using social stories for potty training in autism.

These are easy to download from the internet and provide your autistic child with visual images and cues to how and when to use the potty.

Reports and studies show social stories for potty training in autism have contributed to great success rates for parents of autistic kids. These short visually rich pieces of text can be easily implemented and help parents teach potty training to autistic children by means of visual representations of the skill.

It has been proven that autistic children respond well to visual supports and cues. This makes social stories to teach potty training to autistic children an excellent tool when going through this difficult time in a child’s life.

To understand more about potty training an autistic infant and to download potty training social skills stories visit:

http://www.autismsocialstories.com/potty

For other social stories including hygiene skills and preschool autism social stories visit:

http://www.autismscoialstories.com/preschool

OR http://www.insideautisticminds.com