Toilet Training
Advice for Parents of Autistic Children
Teaching your child to use the toilet is not always easy, whether they are on
the Autism Spectrum or not. But if your child is Autistic, the process of toilet
training can start later and take longer. As with any child, toilet training needs to
happen when your child is ready and relaxed with the process.
Using the toilet independently is what you want for your child but this may take a long time
with lots of small steps along the way. For an Autistic child, toilet training is not just about
physical aspects as social factors can also be a considerable issue. Autistic children tend
not to have the social impulse to want to be like others and use the toilet. Your child might
not see the point of using the toilet and may prefer to continue to use a nappy.
When Should We Start?
As with any child, there is no point starting until your child is ready and beginning to recognise
that they need to use the toilet. Consider:
• Are they feeling uncomfortable in a full nappy?
• Have they shown interest in using the toilet?
• Do they let you know when they have urinated/defecated?
If the answer to these questions is ‘yes’, then they may be ready to start using a toilet.
Developing a Routine
Children on the Autistic Spectrum often benefit from routine and it’s worth developing one
when you start toilet training.
• Have the potty in sight early on so that your child can start to feel comfortable with it.
• Try changing your child’s nappy where they can see the potty or toilet and begin to
associate it with urination/defecation.
• Keep track of when your child urinates or defecates – if they have a regular pattern, sit
them on the potty or toilet at around that time.
• Take your child to the toilet at regular intervals during the day and ask them every so often
if they need to use it.
• Use lots of positive reinforcement and praise.
• Use a visual sequence with an older child so that they understand
what they need to do when they use the potty or toilet. Keep
the sequence in the same order each time, e.g. take down your
trousers; pull your pants down; sit on the toilet; use the toilet; wipe;
pull your pants up; pull your trousers up; flush the toilet.
Toilet or Potty?
This can depend on how old your child is and where they feel most comfortable. There
needs to be a calm and relaxing environment so it could be that a younger child may feel
happy sitting on a potty just outside the toilet. An older child may need to use the toilet as
this is what they associate with needing to go.
Make the experience as comfortable as possible – have a footstool; a smaller training
seat; a rail at the side for your child to hold onto.
Think about your child’s sensory issues: Is there bleach or toilet cleaner that smells
too strong? Is the light too bright? If so, make adjustments so that your child does not
experience sensory overload.
Your child needs to feel comfortable and relaxed enough to go to the toilet. Try having
water running in the background or a toy for your child to look at or play with while they
are on the toilet.
Other Issues
Some children like the feel of a full nappy as it satisfies sensory needs, which is
comforting. Find a different way of meeting these needs like wrapping them in a weighted,
warm blanket.
Others find defecation/urination scary as they do not know or understand what is
happening, especially once a nappy has been removed. Try keeping the nappy on but cut a
hole in the bottom so that they can still feel tightness around the waist.
Try and keep things calm and normal when your child it toilet training as this will lower
anxiety levels – if they are not ready, go back to nappies for a while and start again at a
later date.
Remember:
You are not alone. If effective communication becomes too much of an issue,
speak to your health visitor, or doctor, or contact a local
Autism support group.
