Helping Children Meet Their Full Potential Faster
Toilet training is a life skill that can take a long time to get right and can be frustrating when we observe a slow rate of progress. It can take a longer or up to a year, with each child being unique. Before toilet training can commence certain pre-requisite behaviors need to be fulfilled by your child and these include:
· Bladder control – Is the child able stay dry for several hours and eliminate all at one time (and not in small amounts)? Do they know when they are is eliminating? Some children do not like to be wet or dirty and want to be changed.
· Physical preparedness - Can the child get to the bathroom without assistance? Can the child pull up and down underpants and clothing when going to the bathroom?
· Follow basic instructions - This is an important pre-requisite skill that is referred to as the “first/then contingency”. One of the very beginner skills that is taught is “following 1-step instructions” (examples “Touch your head”, “Come here”, “Go get..”, etc). This is an important part of learning a new skill – “First I do something, then I get something.”
· Getting comfortable with the seat - Some children need preparation for getting comfortable on the toilet. If the child resists and is reluctant to sit on the toilet during training sessions, breaking down the skills required to get comfortable is needed. Positive reinforcement of each step mastered is ideal in this journey.
Helpful Tips
1. Have reinforcers available at all times.
2. If the child urinates successfully…
a. Give enthusiastic praise, hugs, and smiles
b. Give access to highly preferred toys and food
c. Allow child to get off the toilet and return to activities
d. Restart time until next sit
3. If the child has an accident…
a· Say “We go pee in the potty”
b· Rush the child to the toilet
c· Allow the child to finish urination
d· If they urinate on the toilet, provide positive reinforcement as a reward
If the number of accidents is frequent, then a break in the training or alternative interventions by the Autism therapists is required.
We continue with our suggestions on toilet training your child in the 2nd part of our two-part blog series. Watch this space.
