| However, what happens if your child is autistic? The | | | | confuse your child. It’s not good to send mixed |
| problem is now compounded because if your | | | | signals. |
| child’s developmental issues. How big of an issue | | | | 4. Learning your child’s schedule will be helpful. If |
| this becomes is determined on the parent. | | | | you are keeping your child on a certain schedule |
| It doesn’t have to be a tedious task. There are | | | | throughout the day, they normally get their diaper |
| ways to make the process easier and get your child | | | | changed at the same time. When this happens, sit your |
| moving in the right direction. Here is a list of | | | | child down on the potty and have them go to the |
| suggestions and things to look for to help you and your | | | | bathroom about the same time everyday. Schedules |
| autistic child while potty training. | | | | and routines are important to many children with |
| 1. Don’t start potty training too early. You have to | | | | autism. Having a potty schedule could help them in the |
| ensure the child is ready to start. Make sure they | | | | process. |
| know the difference between a wet and a clean | | | | 5. Be patient. This sounds a lot easier than it is, but |
| diaper. If they don’t understand this important | | | | patience is very important. Your child, and this goes for |
| difference, it might be too early to start potty training. | | | | any child, may not get the hang of it right away. |
| Try explaining what a wet diaper is and see if your | | | | Don’t show frustration and don’t get angry |
| child can recognize it. | | | | because this might cause the child to regress in potty |
| 2. Being able to dress themselves is an important | | | | training. |
| aspect. If your autistic child doesn’t know how to | | | | 6. Be consistent. Don’t keep switching from the |
| take his or her clothes off, potty training is going to be | | | | potty to diapers. This will confuse your child and make |
| difficult through their clothing. Their motor skills might not | | | | it difficult to potty train. |
| be ready yet to start the process. Wait to potty train a | | | | 7. Don’t stress out the child by forcing them on to |
| child until they can dress themselves, which means | | | | the potty. You want them to get familiar with it for a |
| being able to pull their pants on and off. This is going to | | | | few days. Keep it in the open where they can see it. |
| make the process much easier. | | | | By seeing it more often, they will get comfortable with |
| 3. Potty training doesn’t need to feel like a job for | | | | the idea of it. |
| you or your autistic child. Create a reward program. | | | | To reiterate, the single most important factor is |
| Every time the child goes to the potty offer them | | | | patience. All of the other tips go with mom or dad |
| something they are going to enjoy. Perhaps a favorite | | | | being patient. It might take a few weeks for an autistic |
| treat or a toy. Anyone else involved in the process | | | | child to learn something new. If that’s the case, just |
| should be made aware of the reward system. At the | | | | stay positive and work with the child as best as you |
| same time, don’t punish your child for an accident. | | | | can. |
| This isn’t going to help the process and will only | | | | |