Potty training a child can be difficult for any parents. What about teaching a child with an autism condition? That is challenging. That challenge doubles when that particular child is suffering from a speech or a nonverbal communication problem.
The term "Autism" is not clear to a lot of people. Autism is a broad range of conditions where people face difficulties in social interaction, behavioral disturbances, flat or monotonous speech, avoidance of eye contact, non-verbal communication, and much more.
What causes autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD)? Researchers haven't found any exact cause of autism. However, most scientists believe that autism occurs due to abnormalities in brain structure and function. This can happen due to genetics or any other medical problems.
It is true that autistic children need extra care, but it is not impossible for them to learn as a normal child. It completely depends on your teaching skills and how you take care of his irregular behaviors. They can learn almost anything if you follow the right strategies.
How to potty train an autistic child? If you follow some simple steps, then you can overcome his potty challenge. Generally, children with autism learn with a little delay, so you have to be patient. The challenge heightens when the child also has verbal communication problems. Make sure you get your tactics right from the beginning of your training.
1. Start with a Visual Training
When it comes to communication, remember one thing: less is more for autistic children, so do not push them hard from the beginning. Visual training is always effective for kids.
Use of color photographs with simple language. Now, order the photographs step by step. Break it down to more steps so that the child can remember them easily.
The best effective steps can be:
1. Sit on the toilet.
2. Wipe with the tissue.
3. Flush the toilet.
4. Wash your hands.
Other than that, you can add steps like take off your pants when you feel pressure, put your pants back on after you are done, etc. As autistic children can be slow at learning new things, you may have to repeat this again and again. Just don't give up and don't get frustrated.
2. Move Him to Underwear
Don't delay in making the child wear underwear. Though it may sound awkward, it is important for his potty training. It is true that pull-ups and modern diapers are very good for absorbing urine, but if it continues, then it will be difficult for autistic children to realize they are urinating.
When you put him in underwear, it is more likely that he will urinate or poop in it. These accidents will create some discomfort and irritation on his skin. It may be difficult to clean him up, but it will develop the sensation about needing to go to the toilet. The next time he gets the impulse to go, he will try not to repeat the mistake. Instead, he will seek a better alternative for this.
3. Don't Scold Over Repeated Accidents
As autistic children can be slow in learning, there is a possibility of repeating the same mistakes a good number of times. Don't scold them for their repeated mistakes. Instead, remind him again and again about using the toilet. Show him the colorful photographs of step one and tempt him to use the toilet. Your best behavior can improve his learning.
4. Reward the Learned Behaviors
Pay some attention when your child is attempting to use a toilet. Also, identify things that motivate him and make him happy quickly. This can be chocolate, toys, flowers, or anything else. Also, make a note of this to reward your child's desired behavior.
Reward your child whenever he uses the toilet successfully. Make him chase more rewards. This is an effective way where he will try to integrate his learning and make good use of it to earn more rewards.
Another important note is to reward him as soon as he completes the task. It is proven that quick rewards develop faster skill acquisition. Also, you can draw visual attention. Draw pictures of the commode and join it with other pictures like chocolates or cars. This will also make him want to gain rewards.
5. Reward For Communication
Nonverbal autistic children have difficulty communicating as well. So, if you reward him for good communication, then chances are that he will learn quickly. You can give him his favorite juice and open a new channel of discussion with him. The child must feel more comfortable communicating with you.
Other than that, look for any patterns of the accident. For instance, you may find him urinating just after an hour of meal. You can note such patterns and schedule bathroom trips for him. Some autistic children are completely unresponsive, so reward your child not only for learned behavior but also for good communication.
6. Allow Your Child to Communicate
Once you find your child is flexible enough to use the toilet whenever you are bringing him to the bathroom, it's time to teach him more advanced skills. Teach the nonverbal child easy signs and symbols that tells you that he needs "to go."
The best go-to symbol for nonverbal kids is finger signs. But that is not the only option. You can also clip a picture of toilets to his belts or shirt button and teach him to point on it whenever he feels a natural urge for the toilet.
There are also more advanced methods of assisted communication devices. Here, you can integrate the pictures of his needs. It can be food, toys, toilet, or any other thing you think would work for your child. When he presses a particular picture, you will get an audible clue of his needs.
Sometimes an autistic child can look intently towards the bathroom. He may get confused, and you must not lose hope. Keep repeating your teachings.
7. Try Professional Help
Despite a lot of effort, your potty training techniques may not work effectively. The child is persistently making the same mistakes, and you may feel completely pissed off or frustrated. In that case, you need personalized help from an autism-savvy behavioral therapist. They know how to deal with autism behavioral issues, and they will be able to potty-train your kid.
Final Verdict
Training an autistic child to use the bathroom is never easy. Some parents get frustrated and fall into a deep depression. However, if you have patience and follow the above-listed steps, then it is possible to potty train a nonverbal autistic child yourself.
