• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Emotional regulation

Reach Children's Services

Set Up For Success

  • About Us
  • Online Courses
  • Our Services
    • Early Intervention for Autism
    • Positive Behaviour Support
    • Assessments
      • Autism Assessments
    • Anxiety & Emotion Regulation
    • Life Skills Programmes
      • Sleep Difficulties
      • Feeding Interventions
      • Toilet Training Programme Consultation
    • Home Tuition
    • Training and Workshops
    • Virtual Coaching Groups
  • Resources
  • Our Blog
  • Contact Us

Considering Readiness and Toilet Training in Autism

June 10, 2020 by Shannon Eidman

Toilet Training in Autism

What are the prerequisites?

Anyone who has done a bit of reading about toilet training, or discussed the same with a GP or other professional will likely be aware of the list of readiness signs. Most books or professionals will reference a set of readiness behaviours outlined by Brazelton et. al (1999) including:

  • Recognizing when wet/soiled
  • Shows discomfort when wet/soiled
  • Able to pull pants up/down
  • Able to communicate need
  • Displays predictable patterns: (Wake up dry; Go 2 hours between voids)
  • Show an interest
  • Display routines (hide, squat, etc.)

But what if children are not showing readiness signs?

Well, most families we have met are told to keep waiting. Sometimes, that works, but sometimes families find themselves with adolescents or teens in nappies. And for some children with autism who may have limited communication skills, sending them to school or respite still requiring full assistance with intimate care can be quite scary for families.

Over 10 years ago, I had the opportunity to work at an autism centre with some amazing psychologists running a toilet training consultation programme. Based on some work in this programme, Kroeger & Sorensen (2010) published a set of reinforcement-based procedures used to successfully toilet train two children with autism who displayed limited signs of readiness. Even prior to their journal article, we presented a conference paper showing positive results using the same procedures with a larger group of children (Sorensen-Burnworth, Kroeger, Eidman-Sheahan, & Lentz, 2006). Of 13 children aged 3-13 attending our centre with whom an intensive, reinforcement-based programme was used, most displaying no more than 3 prerequisites:

  • 7 of the children were toilet trained within 3 – 7 days
  • One participant toilet trained in 9 days
  • Two withdrew from the training
  • Two continued to require additional training for bowel movements

So what do we say?

We certainly won’t argue that things are that bit easier when children are displaying signs of readiness, but we’ve observed first-hand that many of these prerequisites can be taught with the right strategies. It does however require a lot of work, very individualised strategies, and constant monitoring of what works and what doesn’t.

Toilet training in autism can be a huge chore, but also an unbelievably rewarding accomplishment. It requires full commitment and what feels like an endless number of days washing laundry and cleaning the furniture. So, if you’re looking to tackle toilet training full-on, we suggest you consider giving it a try, but keep in mind the following parent readiness signs that will help you set up for success:

Toilet Training in Autism

If you need a bit of guidance, have a look at our short course for parents, and be sure to use the code ‘reachlaunch2020’ to get 40% off. And then if you would like assistance creating an individualised programme, read more about our toilet training consultation programme, or get in touch.

Brazelton T. B., Christophersen E. R., Frauman A. C., Gorski P. A., Poole J. M., Stadtler A. C. et al. (1999). Instruction, timeliness, and medical influences affecting toilet training. Pediatrics 103, 1353-8.

Kroeger, K. & Sorensen, R. (2010). A parent training model for toilet training children with autism. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research (6), 556-567.

Sorensen-Burnworth, R., Kroeger, K., Eidman-Sheahan, S., & Lentz, J (2006). Reevaluating “Necessary” Prerequisites for Toilet Training Children with Autism: 32nd Annual Convention of Association of Behavior Analysis International, Atlanta, Ga.

Uncategorized ABA,  autism,  life skills,  toilet training

Get in touch with us, we’d love to help!

We want to hear from you!

Send us a message, or give us a call.

One of us will get back to you to talk about how we can help.

Footer

Get In Touch

+353 87 920 6783
info@reachchildrens.com

Opening Hours: Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm

and by appointment

Business Name /Contact Person: Reach Children’s Service

Address
Ballinakill
Tubberclair
Westmeath
Ireland
N37 RT72

  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Helpful Links

  • What is Autism?
  • What is ABA?
  • Online Courses
  • Resources
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

Wishing a Happy New Year to all the wonderful families we support and all our wonderful followers 🥳 We are looking forward to a great 2023 🤩 ... See MoreSee Less

1 month ago
Wishing a Happy New Year to all the wonderful families we support and all our wonderful followers 🥳 We are looking forward to a great 2023 🤩
View on Facebook
· Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
View Comments
  • Likes: 4
  • Shares: 0
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

To any of our BCBA friends, if you're looking for a unique and insightful CEU, this is for you. Dr. Sarah Cassidy will be talking about her approach to supporting emotion regulation and mental health in children and adolescents. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the applications of ACT and RFT to promoting positive mental health.
To learn more and register, visit https://connections-behavior.com/events/…
... See MoreSee Less

2 months ago
To any of our BCBA friends, if youre looking for a unique and insightful CEU, this is for you.  Dr. Sarah Cassidy will be talking about her approach to supporting emotion regulation and mental health in children and adolescents. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the applications of ACT and RFT to promoting positive mental health. 
To learn more and register, visit https://connections-behavior.com/events/cassidy-magpies-1/
View on Facebook
· Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
View Comments
  • Likes: 3
  • Shares: 1
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

So proud of our dear friend and colleague Dr. Sarah Cassidy for relasing this brilliant new book for children. ❤

There's still time to register for her webinar this Thursday on school anxiety and avoidance for youth. I can't wait to hear what she has to say. If you want to learn more, visit https://reachchildrenslearning.thinkific.com/cours…
... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

Athboy psychologist launches children’s book on anxiety tonight | Meath Chronicle

www.meathchronicle.ie

2 months ago
View on Facebook
· Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
View Comments
  • Likes: 13
  • Shares: 4
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

Load more

© 2023 Reach Childrens Services · All Rights Reserved · Built by Upply.io💡