| Toilet training is indeed challenging for a lot of children | | | | If your child is afraid of sitting in the toilet, you can help |
| with autism. There are a several approaches to | | | | him overcome this by helping him become familiar with |
| teaching children to independently use the toilet. Of | | | | it without really making them use it. One way of doing |
| course, not all kids will respond to the same technique. | | | | this is by having him sit on the toilet fully clothed. If he is |
| A technique that is considered helpful for a certain child | | | | still uncomfortable, let your kid sit on your lap on the |
| may not be useful for others. | | | | toilet. Knowing that you are there will make them feel |
| Here are several techniques that have helped a lot of | | | | more secure, and this will help your child relax. You can |
| parents who has a child with autism: | | | | also have him observe the procedure using his favorite |
| Some children form an attachment to their diapers and | | | | toy. This will make your child realize that nothing bad |
| refuse to switch to underwear. The good news is, it's | | | | will happen if they sit on the toilet, and eventually his |
| possible for you to help them ease out of diapers step | | | | feeling of unease will pass. |
| by step. You may start by having your child wear | | | | There are a number of children who find flushing the |
| underwear underneath the diaper. This will help them | | | | toilet mysterious. They may be thinking along these |
| get familiar with the idea of wearing underwear. | | | | lines - Why is it so noisy, where does the water go |
| It's also okay if you provide them with the option of | | | | and how does it come back? Setting up a pattern to |
| wearing diaper over his underwear. As soon as they | | | | flushing will help minimize the fear of the act. You may |
| are comfortable with the feel of having underwear on, | | | | use a schedule as an indication when it's time to flush, |
| you may gradually cut small parts of the diaper until | | | | or use a verbal cue, such as "Ok, ready, set, flush, all |
| such time that he is no longer wearing it. You may also | | | | done!" If this doesn't work, let them wait at a distance |
| use pull-ups as a good transition for your child. It will | | | | while you flush. Then encourage your child to gradually |
| also help them develop the skill of pulling pants up and | | | | get closer to the toilet. |
| down. | | | | |