BellaOnline Forums Health and Fitness Autism Spectrum Disorders potty training help!

My grandson will be 5 in November and is non-verbal. He isn't interested in imitation and won't always look at what one is trying to show him. He's entirely happy with sitting in dirty diapers and hates taking time out to even sit on the potty. It got so much a battle with his mom, I've started over as an experiment.
As of this morning: He gets a favourite treat snack only when sitting on the potty and it's a comfy spot with padded seat and stool for his feet. After a day of that, he's not screaming when taken to the bathroom! Progress for sure.

But what do we do from there? I thought that perhaps he doesn't even know what happens after the urge to go, so we let him go bare butt today and he was really surprised to see what came out of his willy. In the house I've kept him in shorts but no diapers. After about 15 minutes on the potty this afternoon, he promptly wet his shorts. (no punishment! just quick on the potty again to change and get wiped up. Maybe that's progress?) Anyway, I'm up for trying anything you've found has worked... please help! Thanks!

Good Evening,

My son , who is "classic autism" love the labels....... was non-verbal until age 6. He did not "pee" in the toilet until 7 years old and a BM didn't happen until 9. We were out of diapers fully at 10 and he still asks for Momma's help, but is really pretty good at bathroom skills , right down to washing hands. He will be 15 years old this year.

Toilet training, as everything else, with the young autistic child takes time, patience and bribery. I am happy to talk with you as it can't all be written in a little email response. Email with a phone number and I will give you a call.

I talk with many parents in a course of the day on a variety of subjects. The best help I have received is from other parents or caregivers who have the day to day, 24 hour / 7 day a week experience with raising a youngster with autism. There isn't an "expert" alive who can give better advise because frankly they don't live it or they NEVER understand living with autism.

Take Care,

Good feedback and thanks for joining. My 13 year old was trained the summer before K and the teacher did it before retiring.

My 12 year old is nonverbal and not there yet, so I was not really able to respond with any assistance. I am not sure bribery would work with my son.

Congrats on the progress your son made.