Raising an autistic child can be challenging in a number of ways, in this article we give you some potty training tips for autism.

If you think about it for a child who may be very keen on routines it is a dramatic change from using a diaper/nappy to suddenly ‘going’ into a potty or toilet.

Other factors make potty training challenging such as the fact that many autistic children have limited diets so they could be bound up. If an autistic child is constipated then passing a stool could cause pain which is already distressing enough.

The opposite could also apply in that your child may have loose stools making them harder to hold in.

Also if your child is hyposensitive it could be that they don’t feel the need to go as clearly as others.

So if you wrap up all of those factors and add them to possible communication and understanding challenges you can see why potty training is difficult for parents of autistic children.

Unfortunately there is no set structure to follow but nevertheless here are some tips to help you potty train your autistic child:

Use a routine

Establish a consistent routine for using the bathroom and stick to it. This helps create a sense of structure and predictability for the child.

An example of a routine could be that every morning after you get up you try to entice your child onto a potty. Or another example would be that whenever you use the toilet you could try and get your child to use it immediately after.

The obvious word of warning with routines and potty training however is that the urge to use the toilet isn’t routined. If you embed the idea that you only use the toilet at certain times then this could be difficult to break.

You could install a routine of what happens actually when you are in a toilet with your child. An example would be that you retrieve a stool to help them onto the seat, step on the stool, pull their pants down, sit on the toilet, use the paper then dismount in an orderly fashion.

Or you could sing a particular song during the process, just to give your child the familiarity and comfort.

Use visuals

Use visual aids such as pictures or symbols to help the child understand when it’s time to use the bathroom.

In the visuals category we would include cartoons and YouTube videos. There is a fantastic range of material online which could be used to train and support your child during this time.

Remove the diaper/nappy

Let the child wear underwear instead of a diaper to encourage them to use the bathroom on their own.

This will also allow the child to feel when they have wet themselve and associate the feeling of needing to go with the consequence of a release. Naturally this could be a slightly messy time but it could be a step towards being potty trained.

Praise and reward

Reward positive behavior, such as successfully using the bathroom, with praise and treats. You could employ a sticker system whereby your child gets one sticker for passing urine and two for passing a stool.

Consistency

Consistency is key in potty training a child with autism. Stick to the routine and reinforce positive behavior consistently.

As mentioned above a number of autistic children long for routines so if you have familiarised them with one relating to the toilet then try to abide by it.

Consider sensory issues

If the child has sensory issues, such as an aversion to the sound or feel of the toilet flushing, address these issues and find ways to make the experience more comfortable for them.

Another example of a sensitivity would be a dislike of electric hand dryers in public restrooms. In such circumstances you could consider drying your child’s hands with paper towels if available.

Call in the diaper/nappy fairy

If you believe that you have turned the corner and can completely remove all diapers (nappies) then you could try the diaper fairy.

Explain to your child that the diaper fairy is coming tonight and that she takes all of the diapers away and replaces them with a new toy.

As you will have guessed then overnight remove every last diaper and put a new toy in their place. You can make a big presentation of the new toy in the morning and reinforce the fact that the diapers have now gone.

From then on if at any time your child requests a diaper then you can refer back to the fact that the diaper fairy swapped them for this new (and fantastic) toy they have.

Some parent of autistic children may struggle with the idea of outright lying to their child (tooth fairy, easter bunny, santa) as the world is confusing enough. But the diaper fairy is an option if you think it would help you get over the line.

Summary – Potty training tips for autism

Potty training an autistic child requires patience, consistency, and a willingness to adapt to the child’s unique needs.

With the right approach, you can help your child learn this important skill and gain confidence in their ability to use the bathroom on their own.

Feel free to browse our archive for more help raising an autistic child.