Today’s BLOG ~
Dear Readers,
Back by popular demand – Toileting. Summertime may be the ideal time to work on toilet training.
UNIT 3 – What Is Most Concerning? CH. 1 – Gross & Fine Motor Skills PART 2 – Toilet Training, APPENDIX A – Toileting.
Reasons to Potty Train in the Summer
· Hotter weather means lighter clothes, and lighter pieces are better for increasing bodily awareness when your child has any bladder/bowel sensations, or an inevitable accident.
· Fewer clothing layers also mean less laundry to wash when those accidents do happen.
· Some families have more time at home in the summer, which allows parents to be more focused and consistent with training.
· More time outside also means increasing the odds of those messy accidents happening outside instead of inside!
< My Thoughts > “…Train in the Summer.”
More people around to support the process. If your child must be diapered because they are older, then find diapers which do not pull the wetness away from the body, increasing body awareness. Also, ‘big girl’ and ‘big boy’ underwear may be a helpful incentive.
Campbell, D. (2022) also suggests things that may or may not work.
< My Thoughts > “…body cues.”
Try to observe when your child usually urinates and / or defecates. That can guide any scheduling time to offer the bathroom.
Make a Visual Schedule for times to offer the toilet. For instance, a half-hour after eating or drinking.
< My Thoughts > “…potty training toy…”
If it is a favorite character toy that can only be used when in the bathroom, or special music or video, it may be worth a try. Some say giving special stickers works!
Some training issues I have encountered. As a Special Education Teacher, the mother of one of my students was very upset after her daughter was successfully toilet trained. “Your permission for training was given,” I said. “Why are you upset?” The mother responded that she had no idea how inconvenient it would be to have to take her daughter to the bathroom, several times a day. It was much easier to change a soiled diaper at mom’s convenience.
Sonny was 13 years old before he was developmentally and emotionally ready to see his waste get flushed away. Finally, flushing things down the toilet became a Sonny ‘reward’.
Decker (2011) I wish I were engulfed in flames. Hail Mary, full of grace, is there a flamethrower in the vicinity? It was a dark and stormy day. On this particular day, we went to Rite Aid to get a new prescription for Jaxson.
In the store, he went into a full-on hysteria-inducing temper tantrum because I would not purchase another camera to replace the one he had flushed down the toilet the night before. The toilet was unscathed – the camera, however, hadn’t been so lucky.
< My Thoughts > “…one he had flushed down the toilet…”
This is probably one of the reasons that parents and teachers can never agree as to whether the child should be allowed to take a book, or toys with them into the bathroom. As a teacher, I would weigh my options. Sometimes, the child didn’t even know s/he was being led into the bathroom, if they were on their iPad. But vigilance is required to make certain that valuable piece of technology doesn’t land in the toilet. So many stories about things that get flushed. Jeni Decker’s son was probably just trying to get an action shot of swirling toilet water with his camera.
REFERENCE:
Campbell, D. (2022). Reasons to Potty Train in the Summer, from Colombia Mom. Retrieved online from – https://columbiamom.com/summer-potty-training-tips-and-tricks-to-get-your-little-one-out-of-diapers/
Decker, J. (2011). I Wish I Were Engulfed in Flames: My Insane Life Raising Two Boys with Autism; eBook Edition.
UNIT 3 – What Is Most Concerning?
CHAPTER 1 – Gross & Fine Motor Skills PART 2 – Toilet Training
APPENDIX A – Toileting
Nunez, A. (2025) answers the question – Can a child with autism be potty trained?
Children with autism can be toilet trained as long as they don’t have any medical issues that prevent them from urinating or having a bowel movement. Some signs that would indicate a child is having discomfort or other problems would be –
Before beginning the toilet training process with children with autism, it is recommended a pediatrician confirm with a physical exam there are no medical issues.
< My Thoughts > “…no medical issues.”
Neurological conditions, like autism, can make toileting very difficult. Along with that, certain medications cause urination, constipation, and diarrhea problems. Persons with autism have more gastrointestinal issues than most people in the general population.
Nunez, A. (2025) continues, "There is no specific age to begin toilet training children on the autism spectrum because every child has different needs and different skills."
Instead of focusing on age, focus on the child’s skills. Below is a list of five questions that determine whether children with autism ready to start toilet training.
1. Does the child have the fine & gross motor skills to carry out a toileting routine?
2. Can the child pull down his/her pants & underwear & pull up pants & underwear with little to no assistance?
3. Can the child imitate actions? (i.e., sitting on the toilet, wiping, etc.)
4. Can the child identify where the bathroom is located in his/her house?
5. Can the child sit on a toilet with a potty-training seat or sit on a transitional potty without resistance?
< My Thoughts > “…imitate actions…” “…where the bathroom is located…” “…transitional potty…”
Some children will need a high level of support for these. Many children with autism have difficulty ‘imitating’, ‘locating’ areas in the house (except their room), and any type of ‘transiting’.
What are the signs that a child with autism is ready to be potty trained?
Nunez, A. (2025) continues, that when children with autism are ready for toilet training, they will begin to demonstrate the “Three Signs of Readiness” listed below –
1. They do not like the feeling of a wet or soiled diaper or pull-up and will show it by taking off the wet or soiled diaper/pull-up, and they vocalize displeasure in being wet of soiled and want to be changed.
2. They show interest in the toilet by sitting on it, flushing it, or watching an adult use it.
3. They will take an adult to the bathroom to get a clean diaper or pull-up.
< My Thoughts > “…clean diaper or pull-up.”
The problem with some diapers and/or pull-ups is that they can mask the feeling of wetness. Then, the child won’t recognize and request a trip to the bathroom. Sometimes kiddos will stay dry if they can wear underwear with their favorite character’s picture on it. It also took a few more years before he would use a bathroom anywhere but home.
Prepare for Successful Potty-Training Experience
Nunez, A. (2025) continues, Successfully toilet training children with spectrum disorders takes a lot of thought and preplanning. Being unprepared can lead to frustration for both parent and child. Training happens in phases, with the first two stages being the Planning Phase and the Setting Up Phase.
< My Thoughts > “…Training happens in phases…”
It took over two years to get our Sonny to understand the toileting process. Many, many starts and stops. He liked to flush the toilet, so the smallest independent toileting steps were always rewarded by multiple flushes.
Gulsrud, A., Lin, C. et al. (2018) give us suggestions from this study that there may be deficits in gross and fine motor skills which are preventing successful toileting. Motor skills can be most concerning when delayed, or even limited. In this study, ‘parent-rated’ autistic behaviors, noted the distinction as to how the child’s toileting difficulties varied and to what extent the child’s difficulties were ‘problematic’ for the child.
< My Thoughts > “…deficits in gross and fine motor skills…”
Yes, a child with autism may take years to learn and remember to use all the skills related to toileting. They need pincher finger skills to pull pants up and down. Gross motor skills to put feet and legs into pantlegs. But most of all, he or she must get their body’s message that toileting is needed. Then, they need to be able to communicate the need to use the bathroom. And, that is just the beginning.
REFERENCE: UNIT 3, CHAPTER 1, PART 2, APPENDIX A.
Gulsrud, A., Lin, C., et al. (2018). Self-injurious Behaviors in Children and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD); Journal of Intellectual Disability Research; V2:12, p1030-1042.
Nunez, A. (2025). Potty Training for Autism – The Ultimate Guide. Retrieved online from –https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/autism-potty-training-guide/
End of UNIT 3, CHAPTER 1, PART 2, APPENDIX A – Toileting.
My appreciation for sharing, commenting, and 'liking' on Facebook! Also, please note that my aim is to remove all other than government and / or public 'links' from the website. My reasoning is that they may suggest endorsement or approval of their content. It is better that individuals 'search' for desired 'links' in one's specific area of interest and location. Thank you for your understanding.
Regards,
Sara Luker
DISCLAIMER
Know Autism – Know Your Child: with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker
Just to let you know that I, Sara Hayden Luker, have put forth my best efforts in presenting what I have learned about autism, by sharing the resources, stories, and studies of those who have gone before us. Any author’s mention of products, services, treatments, and interventions or actions are not to be considered an endorsement, thereof. Know that to some, autism is an ‘unregulated business’. The content of this website material, digital or in any other form does not represent medical advice; nor does it constitute medical suggestions in any way. The material, including any downloadable parts, is for informational and/or educational purposes only. Your download and/or use of any of this material indicates your acceptance of this disclaimer. No ‘rights’ are given or transferred.
Dear Readers,
Back by popular demand – Toileting. Summertime may be the ideal time to work on toilet training.
UNIT 3 – What Is Most Concerning? CH. 1 – Gross & Fine Motor Skills PART 2 – Toilet Training, APPENDIX A – Toileting.
Reasons to Potty Train in the Summer
· Hotter weather means lighter clothes, and lighter pieces are better for increasing bodily awareness when your child has any bladder/bowel sensations, or an inevitable accident.
· Fewer clothing layers also mean less laundry to wash when those accidents do happen.
· Some families have more time at home in the summer, which allows parents to be more focused and consistent with training.
· More time outside also means increasing the odds of those messy accidents happening outside instead of inside!
< My Thoughts > “…Train in the Summer.”
More people around to support the process. If your child must be diapered because they are older, then find diapers which do not pull the wetness away from the body, increasing body awareness. Also, ‘big girl’ and ‘big boy’ underwear may be a helpful incentive.
Campbell, D. (2022) also suggests things that may or may not work.
- Watching for body cues.
< My Thoughts > “…body cues.”
Try to observe when your child usually urinates and / or defecates. That can guide any scheduling time to offer the bathroom.
- Offering to the bathroom on a schedule.
Make a Visual Schedule for times to offer the toilet. For instance, a half-hour after eating or drinking.
- Using a potty training toy with music & flashing lights.
< My Thoughts > “…potty training toy…”
If it is a favorite character toy that can only be used when in the bathroom, or special music or video, it may be worth a try. Some say giving special stickers works!
Some training issues I have encountered. As a Special Education Teacher, the mother of one of my students was very upset after her daughter was successfully toilet trained. “Your permission for training was given,” I said. “Why are you upset?” The mother responded that she had no idea how inconvenient it would be to have to take her daughter to the bathroom, several times a day. It was much easier to change a soiled diaper at mom’s convenience.
Sonny was 13 years old before he was developmentally and emotionally ready to see his waste get flushed away. Finally, flushing things down the toilet became a Sonny ‘reward’.
Decker (2011) I wish I were engulfed in flames. Hail Mary, full of grace, is there a flamethrower in the vicinity? It was a dark and stormy day. On this particular day, we went to Rite Aid to get a new prescription for Jaxson.
In the store, he went into a full-on hysteria-inducing temper tantrum because I would not purchase another camera to replace the one he had flushed down the toilet the night before. The toilet was unscathed – the camera, however, hadn’t been so lucky.
< My Thoughts > “…one he had flushed down the toilet…”
This is probably one of the reasons that parents and teachers can never agree as to whether the child should be allowed to take a book, or toys with them into the bathroom. As a teacher, I would weigh my options. Sometimes, the child didn’t even know s/he was being led into the bathroom, if they were on their iPad. But vigilance is required to make certain that valuable piece of technology doesn’t land in the toilet. So many stories about things that get flushed. Jeni Decker’s son was probably just trying to get an action shot of swirling toilet water with his camera.
REFERENCE:
Campbell, D. (2022). Reasons to Potty Train in the Summer, from Colombia Mom. Retrieved online from – https://columbiamom.com/summer-potty-training-tips-and-tricks-to-get-your-little-one-out-of-diapers/
Decker, J. (2011). I Wish I Were Engulfed in Flames: My Insane Life Raising Two Boys with Autism; eBook Edition.
UNIT 3 – What Is Most Concerning?
CHAPTER 1 – Gross & Fine Motor Skills PART 2 – Toilet Training
APPENDIX A – Toileting
Nunez, A. (2025) answers the question – Can a child with autism be potty trained?
Children with autism can be toilet trained as long as they don’t have any medical issues that prevent them from urinating or having a bowel movement. Some signs that would indicate a child is having discomfort or other problems would be –
- Foul-smelling urine
- Too much or too little urination
- Inability to hold urine
- Stools that are small, hard, dry, and painful to pass
- Having fewer than two bowel movements a week
Before beginning the toilet training process with children with autism, it is recommended a pediatrician confirm with a physical exam there are no medical issues.
< My Thoughts > “…no medical issues.”
Neurological conditions, like autism, can make toileting very difficult. Along with that, certain medications cause urination, constipation, and diarrhea problems. Persons with autism have more gastrointestinal issues than most people in the general population.
Nunez, A. (2025) continues, "There is no specific age to begin toilet training children on the autism spectrum because every child has different needs and different skills."
Instead of focusing on age, focus on the child’s skills. Below is a list of five questions that determine whether children with autism ready to start toilet training.
1. Does the child have the fine & gross motor skills to carry out a toileting routine?
2. Can the child pull down his/her pants & underwear & pull up pants & underwear with little to no assistance?
3. Can the child imitate actions? (i.e., sitting on the toilet, wiping, etc.)
4. Can the child identify where the bathroom is located in his/her house?
5. Can the child sit on a toilet with a potty-training seat or sit on a transitional potty without resistance?
< My Thoughts > “…imitate actions…” “…where the bathroom is located…” “…transitional potty…”
Some children will need a high level of support for these. Many children with autism have difficulty ‘imitating’, ‘locating’ areas in the house (except their room), and any type of ‘transiting’.
What are the signs that a child with autism is ready to be potty trained?
Nunez, A. (2025) continues, that when children with autism are ready for toilet training, they will begin to demonstrate the “Three Signs of Readiness” listed below –
1. They do not like the feeling of a wet or soiled diaper or pull-up and will show it by taking off the wet or soiled diaper/pull-up, and they vocalize displeasure in being wet of soiled and want to be changed.
2. They show interest in the toilet by sitting on it, flushing it, or watching an adult use it.
3. They will take an adult to the bathroom to get a clean diaper or pull-up.
< My Thoughts > “…clean diaper or pull-up.”
The problem with some diapers and/or pull-ups is that they can mask the feeling of wetness. Then, the child won’t recognize and request a trip to the bathroom. Sometimes kiddos will stay dry if they can wear underwear with their favorite character’s picture on it. It also took a few more years before he would use a bathroom anywhere but home.
Prepare for Successful Potty-Training Experience
Nunez, A. (2025) continues, Successfully toilet training children with spectrum disorders takes a lot of thought and preplanning. Being unprepared can lead to frustration for both parent and child. Training happens in phases, with the first two stages being the Planning Phase and the Setting Up Phase.
< My Thoughts > “…Training happens in phases…”
It took over two years to get our Sonny to understand the toileting process. Many, many starts and stops. He liked to flush the toilet, so the smallest independent toileting steps were always rewarded by multiple flushes.
Gulsrud, A., Lin, C. et al. (2018) give us suggestions from this study that there may be deficits in gross and fine motor skills which are preventing successful toileting. Motor skills can be most concerning when delayed, or even limited. In this study, ‘parent-rated’ autistic behaviors, noted the distinction as to how the child’s toileting difficulties varied and to what extent the child’s difficulties were ‘problematic’ for the child.
< My Thoughts > “…deficits in gross and fine motor skills…”
Yes, a child with autism may take years to learn and remember to use all the skills related to toileting. They need pincher finger skills to pull pants up and down. Gross motor skills to put feet and legs into pantlegs. But most of all, he or she must get their body’s message that toileting is needed. Then, they need to be able to communicate the need to use the bathroom. And, that is just the beginning.
REFERENCE: UNIT 3, CHAPTER 1, PART 2, APPENDIX A.
Gulsrud, A., Lin, C., et al. (2018). Self-injurious Behaviors in Children and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD); Journal of Intellectual Disability Research; V2:12, p1030-1042.
Nunez, A. (2025). Potty Training for Autism – The Ultimate Guide. Retrieved online from –https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/autism-potty-training-guide/
End of UNIT 3, CHAPTER 1, PART 2, APPENDIX A – Toileting.
My appreciation for sharing, commenting, and 'liking' on Facebook! Also, please note that my aim is to remove all other than government and / or public 'links' from the website. My reasoning is that they may suggest endorsement or approval of their content. It is better that individuals 'search' for desired 'links' in one's specific area of interest and location. Thank you for your understanding.
Regards,
Sara Luker
DISCLAIMER
Know Autism – Know Your Child: with < My Thoughts > by Sara Luker
Just to let you know that I, Sara Hayden Luker, have put forth my best efforts in presenting what I have learned about autism, by sharing the resources, stories, and studies of those who have gone before us. Any author’s mention of products, services, treatments, and interventions or actions are not to be considered an endorsement, thereof. Know that to some, autism is an ‘unregulated business’. The content of this website material, digital or in any other form does not represent medical advice; nor does it constitute medical suggestions in any way. The material, including any downloadable parts, is for informational and/or educational purposes only. Your download and/or use of any of this material indicates your acceptance of this disclaimer. No ‘rights’ are given or transferred.
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