Resources

Potty Training Autism: A Comprehensive Guide

Dr. Mary Barbera

Potty training can be challenging for any parent, but if you’re facing difficulties with potty training a child with autism, you’re not alone. Many parents of children with autism struggle with potty training, and this often coincides with other developmental concerns. 

In this blog, I’ll share some key insights that will help you navigate this process. If you want a deeper dive into potty training strategies, you can grab your copy of the ebook at no cost from marybarbera.com/potty.

Each week, I share strategies to help parents and professionals support children with autism, so if you haven’t already, subscribe to my YouTube channel, where thousands of others are learning to turn autism around.

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Why You Need This Potty Training Guide

When it comes to potty training, experience matters. In addition to being a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), I’ve been a registered nurse since the 1980s, working extensively with neurologically impaired patients. This background helped me immensely while potty training my own two boys, one of whom has autism, as well as helping many of my clients with similar challenges.

Although I offer a range of online courses for parents and professionals, I don’t have a course solely dedicated to potty training autism. Why? Because potty training issues are often linked with broader developmental concerns such as problem behaviors, language delays, lack of independence in daily routines, and safety risks. Whether your child or client is 4, 14, or 40, these interconnected issues often accompany potty training struggles. That’s why I incorporate potty training tips and strategies throughout my broader autism programs.

What You’ll Learn Inside the Potty Training Guide

In my free ebook, I cover essential research and best practices for potty training children with autism. While some behavior analysts advocate for the Azrin and Foxx method, I offer a fresh perspective, highlighting potential pitfalls of this method and sharing alternative steps that work more effectively for many children.

Key topics covered in the ebook include:

  • Readiness for Potty Training: How to determine if your child is ready to begin toilet training and whether a child can be too “low functioning” to potty train.
  • Training Methods: I explore scheduled training, intensive bathroom methods, or a combination of both approaches.
  • Materials and Coordination: The guide outlines the necessary materials for potty training and how to coordinate efforts between home and school environments.
  • Bowel Training and Wiping: Strategies for bowel training, teaching your child when and how to wipe correctly.
  • Nighttime Training and Handling Accidents: Tips for nighttime potty training and how to manage accidents or regressions after initial success.

It’s a comprehensive guide, packed with practical strategies, so be sure to grab your free copy at marybarbera.com/potty.

3 Key Steps to Successful Potty Training for Autism

I’m excited to share that my approach to potty training autism differs from traditional methods like Azrin and Foxx’s in several key ways. Their method includes five steps, but I focus on three essential steps while avoiding two others that I find problematic.

Step 1: Establish a Potty Schedule

The foundation of successful potty training is setting a schedule. Whether you start by taking your child to the bathroom every 15 minutes, every half hour, or every hour, consistency is key. In the beginning, it’s essential to have frequent bathroom breaks to establish the routine.

Step 2: Encourage Extra Fluid Intake

Hydration is an important part of potty training, especially if you’re aiming for quick results. Offer your child extra drinks throughout the day, ensuring they drink consistently. For instance, provide 4 ounces of their favorite drink every hour. This helps increase the chances of success when it’s time to use the bathroom.

Step 3: Track Progress with Simple Data Collection

Data collection doesn’t have to be intimidating. You can keep it simple by noting whether your child sat on the toilet, whether they urinated or had a bowel movement, and whether these occurred in the toilet or a diaper. This basic information will help you make informed decisions and adjust the training process as needed.

Avoiding Problematic Methods

While the Azrin and Foxx method recommends two additional steps—dry pants checks and positive practice—I don’t include these in my approach.

  • Dry Pants Checks: This step involves visually inspecting the child’s underwear on a scheduled basis to ensure they are staying dry. However, this method is not practical in public settings like schools, where children are often required to wear diapers or pull-ups.
  • Positive Practice: This is a punishment procedure, where a child is required to repeatedly practice correct toileting behaviors after an accident. Not only is this often prohibited in public schools, but it also doesn’t align with the positive reinforcement strategies I recommend for potty training and behavior modification.

Common Potty Training Challenges for Children with Autism

While some children with autism potty train easily, many families face unique challenges that require specialized strategies. Here are a few common hurdles and how my guide addresses them:

Regression After Potty Training

It’s not uncommon for children with autism to regress after initial success with potty training. This can be due to changes in routine, stress, or developmental delays. In the guide, I share strategies for managing regressions and getting back on track.

Nonverbal Communication

If your child is nonverbal or has limited communication skills, potty training can be particularly difficult. In my ebook, I offer strategies for using visual supports, sign language, or communication devices to help your child understand when it’s time to go to the bathroom.

Sensory Sensitivities

Many children with autism have sensory sensitivities, making the bathroom environment overwhelming. From the sound of flushing toilets to the feeling of sitting on the seat, these sensory issues can make potty training a struggle. My guide includes tips for addressing these challenges, helping to make the bathroom a more comfortable space for your child.

Get the Free Potty Training Guide Today!

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by potty training your child with autism, my free ebook offers the support and guidance you need. Packed with actionable strategies and advice from both my professional and personal experience, this guide will help you create a potty training plan that works for your child.

You can download the guide for free at marybarbera.com/potty, and if you’d like to learn more about my approach to supporting children with autism, check out my workshops and courses at marybarbera.com/workshops.

If you found this article helpful, be sure to share it, leave a comment, and subscribe to my YouTube channel for more tips on turning autism around.

By breaking down potty training into manageable steps and avoiding outdated techniques, you can successfully potty train your child with autism and address other developmental challenges along the way. Grab your free copy of my ebook today and start your potty training journey with confidence!

Want to Learn how to Increase Talking & Decrease Tantrums in Children with Autism or Toddlers Showing Signs?

Want to start making a difference for your child or clients?

I’m Ready to Learn!

Yes, the potty training guide is designed to help children with autism of various ages, from young children to adults. The strategies can be adapted based on the individual’s developmental level and needs.

The three key steps are: establishing a consistent potty schedule, encouraging extra fluid intake, and tracking progress through simple data collection.

Yes, the guide provides tips for nighttime training and how to handle toileting accidents or regression after a child has been successfully potty trained.

This guide avoids using outdated techniques like dry pants checks and positive practice, which can be impractical and punitive. Instead, it focuses on positive reinforcement and practical, adaptable strategies.

You can download the free ebook on potty training autism at marybarbera.com/potty.