6 Steps to Creating a Potty-Training Plan for a Child with Autism

Developing a potty-training schedule for a child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder may be difficult, especially if you don’t know where to start. These tips on potty training with autism may help you make some progress and to build a general plan.

Many children on the autism spectrum will need an individualized plan with help from a professional.

The autism spectrum varies quite a bit when it comes to potty training, both in a child’s receptiveness to the idea and in their ease of learning once they begin engaging with it. These steps are likely to be part of any effective plan, and given how significant potty training is in a child’s development, we hope this guide helps you make meaningful, consistent progress.

1) Assessing Readiness for Potty Training for Children with Autism

The first step is determining whether you and your child are ready to begin. A few questions that you can ask yourself to determine potty readiness are:

“Is the Timing Right?”

Children on the autism spectrum often develop at a slower pace than their neurotypical peers, so it’s important not to rush the process. Most children begin toilet training between the ages of two and five. Potty training children with autism can follow a similar window, though developmental differences may shift that timeline back somewhat. Many specialists recommend waiting until a child with autism is around four years old, allowing time for important skills like motor planning and communication to develop.

“Will All Individuals Involved Be Able To Follow The Plan?”

Consistency is one of the most critical factors in learning how to potty train any child, especially a child with autism. After you feel your child is ready to begin potty training, the first step is to establish a schedule of trips to the toilet.

These trips start pretty close together to ensure you capture opportunities to eliminate in the toilet. This can be a significant commitment in time and effort, and it’s important for you and anyone else who might care for the child to be prepared.
If you or other caregivers are unable to follow the schedule consistently, it may be worth waiting until everyone is ready.

“Can Your Child Communicate the Need to Go?”

A scheduled approach increases your likelihood of success, but independence also requires your child to be able to signal when they need to use the bathroom. Communication comes in many forms and isn’t just talking. Forms of communication can include:

• Speech
• Gestures
• Sign Language
• Using Picture Cards

Your child should have some experience and success with using one of these forms of communication to meet other needs, like letting you know when they’re hungry or that they want something.

2) Establish a Schedule

The first step is usually setting a frequent schedule of trips to the potty. By having your child sit on the toilet frequently, they will eventually use the toilet successfully by chance. Once this happens, you can start building on that first success. Using the toilet should be a big deal, so make sure you’re ready with an exciting reward that your child will be genuinely excited about.

Rewards For Potty Training

You know your child best, so choose something they really like. You can reward sitting on the toilet, but save something special for success. For Example:

Setting the Interval

Ensure your child has plenty of opportunities to use the bathroom.  Start by taking your child to the bathroom every 30 minutes and having them sit for at least 3 minutes. Frequent trips reduce the chances of accidents. Once your child is consistently accident-free, gradually extend the intervals from 30 minutes to 60, then to 90 and so on.

3) Collect Materials

Before you begin implementing your plan for how to potty train a child with autism, make sure you have the materials you need in place. These materials could include:

• Two Weeks’ Worth of Underwear,
• A Timer For The 30-Minute Intervals
• 3 Minutes Of Sitting
• A Stool And Toilet Seat
• If Necessary, Wipes/Toilet Paper
• Rewards
• Materials Needed To Teach Communication

4) Implementation and Consistency

Now that you have established your goals, collected your materials, and developed a plan, it is time to implement.
Choose a start date and commit to the schedule. Make sure everyone involved understands the plan and is prepared to follow through.

Consistency is the single most important factor in potty training children with autism, and your ability to maintain the routine is essential to long-term success. Children with autism do best when a consistent schedule is developed and utilized. Remember that consistency is key!

Switch To Underwear

Making the switch from diapers or pull-ups to underwear is an important step. Accidents will be messier, but diapers can prevent children from experiencing the discomfort of being wet. That wetness is part of what motivates your child to use the toilet.

Increase Your Child’s Fluid Intake

Along with rewards for using the toilet, your child should begin to learn that learning these skills is worth the effort. Finally, encourage your child to drink more fluids to allow for more opportunities to successfully void in the toilet.

5) Re-evaluate Goals

After a few weeks of implementing your potty-training plan, reevaluate your initial goals.

• Has your child reached the goals you established?
• Are there any goals that need to be adjusted to better meet your child’s needs?
• Are there new goals that you would like to work towards?

Progress may be slow, but you should see some movement. If you’re not seeing any, it’s probably time to change your approach. If you’re unsure what to do differently, reaching out to an autism therapy specialist, such as a BCBA, is a great next step.

6) Generalization

Generalization means taking the skills your child has learned in one environment and teaching them to apply those skills in other settings. For example, if your child has made progress with potty training at home, the next step is to coordinate with their teacher to transfer that schedule to school as well. You should not assume that the skills will transfer to school, public restrooms, or houses of friends or family.

Barriers to Potty Training

A few key barriers are worth addressing early while figuring out how to potty train a child with autism:

• Communication
• Motor Planning
• Dressing

Communication

If your child can’t yet signal the need to use the restroom, achieving full independence will be difficult. You need to work on establishing a functional communication method with your child, such as:

• Signs
• Words,
• Gestures
• Pictures

These allow your child to let a caregiver know what they need.

Motor Planning & Dressing

These two barriers are closely linked. Using the restroom independently requires your child to learn a sequence of motor steps, including:

• Transportation To The Bathroom
• Opening The Door
• Pulling Pants Down
• Pulling Underwear Down
• Sitting On The Toilet
• Wiping
• Pulling Pants Up
• Washing Hands

If your child is unable to complete these motor-planning steps, there are some initial skills that could be addressed prior to potty training.

As a parent of a child on the autism spectrum, you will face many challenges that other parents may not, and potty training is one of them. We’re dedicated to helping parents and children affected by ASD, both through guides like this and through our ABA therapy services. For parent resources of all kinds, from blogs and guides to events and courses, Autism Learning Collaborative hopes to provide assistance that others can’t.

Potty training a child on the autism spectrum can be overwhelming. The good news is, you do not have to do it alone. Our ABA specialists will support your child and family through this process, developing a plan that works specifically for your child. Contact us today and request a free tour!