I have a 5 year old autistic that i have been trying to potty train in the past 6 months. He is able to urinate in the potty but has not been able to get a hang of initiating or knowing when he needs to potty to go potty. Wondering if there are any tips out there to help a child start spontaneously initiating or communicating when he has to go. We always need to remind him when his potty watch goes off to go and sometimes in between his timer he would have accident and not even feel bothered that he had an accident or try to request before the accident. Any tips would be appreciated.We usually make him say wee wee when his timer goes off. Thanks
Answer:
Thank you for your question! It sounds like you are doing a great job so far! Initiating is honestly the most difficult part of toilet training. So here are some tips! When the potty watch goes off, before prompting him I would first look expectantly at him for a few seconds, if he does not say "wee wee" then I would point to the watch so he attends to it going off. If he still does not say "wee wee" then I would say to him, "Do you need something?" Wait him out a few seconds to see if he says "wee wee," if he still does not say it then I would provide a partial prompt for him to say it such as "wee" to see if he will then say "wee wee." If has become prompt dependent on you telling him to go so now we need to fade that prompt! I would also add reinforcement to the request. When he says "wee wee" without a full prompt he earns X. Full prompt would be you having to fully prompt "wee wee." If he responds to the expectant look, pointing to the potty timer, or partial prompt "wee" provide lots of praise (nice job telling me you have to go potty!) and he can earn something he loves (special treat, 2 minutes on your phone, etc.) Providing reinforcement will make it more motivating for him!
Also, not sure if you are using pull-ups or underwear, but make sure he is wearing underwear! If he has an accident he is more likely to feel uncomfortable and ask for the bathroom. Try these things consistently for 2 weeks and then check back in and let us know how it is going! Good luck!
Thank you for your question! It sounds like you are doing a great job so far! Initiating is honestly the most difficult part of toilet training. So here are some tips! When the potty watch goes off, before prompting him I would first look expectantly at him for a few seconds, if he does not say “wee wee” then I would point to the watch so he attends to it going off. If he still does not say “wee wee” then I would say to him, “Do you need something?” Wait him out a few seconds to see if he says “wee wee,” if he still does not say it then I would provide a partial prompt for him to say it such as “wee” to see if he will then say “wee wee.” If has become prompt dependent on you telling him to go so now we need to fade that prompt! I would also add reinforcement to the request. When he says “wee wee” without a full prompt he earns X. Full prompt would be you having to fully prompt “wee wee.” If he responds to the expectant look, pointing to the potty timer, or partial prompt “wee” provide lots of praise (nice job telling me you have to go potty!) and he can earn something he loves (special treat, 2 minutes on your phone, etc.) Providing reinforcement will make it more motivating for him!
Also, not sure if you are using pull-ups or underwear, but make sure he is wearing underwear! If he has an accident he is more likely to feel uncomfortable and ask for the bathroom. Try these things consistently for 2 weeks and then check back in and let us know how it is going! Good luck!
Thanks soo much. I appreciate the response. Worth giving a try and knowing we are close in doing what we are supposed to be doing for him. Not sure why his behavior center has not been quite keen on doing lots of reinforcements for him as that is what i use for him at home . But certainly will have those conversations with them. Thanks much.