kathianpop
hello everyone!
so i have a 3 year old daughter that has mild autism she does everything normal for her age besides talking.I think she is now ready for the potty ...ive noticed that she will stay dry for long periods of times,and doesn't like that wet feeling she always tries to take off her diaper or simply digs in it to let me know shes uncomfortable.She also likes her privacy when taking a bowel movement and will literaly kick me out when she is doing it.Although she cant speak she does physically take me to whatever she want to or points to it. She has been getting almost 2 years of therpy (special ed,speech,and ot)and is starting to tell me what she needs.im just confused on how to start!!! This is my first child and the fact that she has autism makes it the more harder. Ive talked to her therapist and she recommends to put her in panties (just panties) for the first week and take her to the potty every 20 mins and after naps.Give lots of praise and rewards. What do you guys recommend?
Answer
Preplanning
There are a few things you can do to prepare yourself for the task of potty training. Consider which items below will serve the special needs and levels of understanding for your child.
Install a potty related App from iTunes on your phone or iPad
Purchase a picture book about potty time
Purchase a video about potty time
Create a picture schedule and assign a potty time
Create flashcards or lists of steps (lower pants, wait, push, wipe, raise pants, flush, wash hands)
Create a reward system
Modeling - consider bringing your child with you every time you need to go to the bathroom. Verbalize all the steps. Mommy needs to pee, mommy needs to lower her pants and so forth. Fathers can be a helpful role model for teaching boys to stand when peeing.
Potty Training Difficulties
There are several possibilities that potty training may fail. Keep in mind that these possibilities occur whether a child has autism or not. There are however a few issue that may arise as difficulties when potty training an autistic child. Sensory issues are probably the biggest factor.
Things to consider
Sound - the child may be afraid of the flush. This is especially common in the echo filled and power flush bathrooms in public places.
Sound - a ventilation fan may be too noisy or uncomfortable for sensitive ears
Physical instability - the child may feel uncomfortable sitting naked on a potty. Children in the autism spectrum may be sensitive to the drafty sensation their bottom may experience when exposed on a potty.
Touch and Texture - Several children in the spectrum have issues with touch and texture. This may pose a problem when training them to wipe.
Awareness - Knowing when to push and knowing when to stop.
Potential resolutions
Flushing - my first suggestion is to try everything possible to have your child do the actual flushing. If sound or fear seems to be an issue provide a form of praise and reward. Picture schedules can be surprisingly successful. Another alternative is to purchase earmuffs (sound protectors) for your child. If covering their ears is common this may provide the relief and comfort they seek. I purchased shooting range ear muffs at my local sporting goods store for about $24.
Physical instability - some children are uncomfortable sitting on a toilet seat or potty. Many fear they will fall in and don't like the exposed feeling. Consider sitting right in front of them with your palms on their thighs. Talking to them and praising them with a soothing voice will encourage them to use the potty and make them feel more comfortable. Slowly withdraw your hands at each sitting until you no longer have to place your hands on their thighs. An encouraging, "You did it by yourself" with a warm smile and a hug or high five will reinforce their actions.
Touch and Texture - resistance to wiping is not uncommon and is often a challenge with the average child. They are so used to mommy wiping with baby wipes that the physical process of doing this themselves can be confusing to them. Point of view is important here. Wiping yourself is in fact an awkward movement and a toddler may not be very understanding of this physical challenge. If the texture of the tissue is a problem take a piece of toilet paper and have the child wipe their forearm. Say soothing words like, "look how soft that is"
Pushing - some children do not understand the concept of pushing. For some reason some children cannot connect the action of pushing into a diaper the same as pushing when on a potty. One of the things you can do is take your child's hand and place it on your lower abdomen. Physical push as you press their hand against you. Then have them repeat this on their own body.
Preplanning
There are a few things you can do to prepare yourself for the task of potty training. Consider which items below will serve the special needs and levels of understanding for your child.
Install a potty related App from iTunes on your phone or iPad
Purchase a picture book about potty time
Purchase a video about potty time
Create a picture schedule and assign a potty time
Create flashcards or lists of steps (lower pants, wait, push, wipe, raise pants, flush, wash hands)
Create a reward system
Modeling - consider bringing your child with you every time you need to go to the bathroom. Verbalize all the steps. Mommy needs to pee, mommy needs to lower her pants and so forth. Fathers can be a helpful role model for teaching boys to stand when peeing.
Potty Training Difficulties
There are several possibilities that potty training may fail. Keep in mind that these possibilities occur whether a child has autism or not. There are however a few issue that may arise as difficulties when potty training an autistic child. Sensory issues are probably the biggest factor.
Things to consider
Sound - the child may be afraid of the flush. This is especially common in the echo filled and power flush bathrooms in public places.
Sound - a ventilation fan may be too noisy or uncomfortable for sensitive ears
Physical instability - the child may feel uncomfortable sitting naked on a potty. Children in the autism spectrum may be sensitive to the drafty sensation their bottom may experience when exposed on a potty.
Touch and Texture - Several children in the spectrum have issues with touch and texture. This may pose a problem when training them to wipe.
Awareness - Knowing when to push and knowing when to stop.
Potential resolutions
Flushing - my first suggestion is to try everything possible to have your child do the actual flushing. If sound or fear seems to be an issue provide a form of praise and reward. Picture schedules can be surprisingly successful. Another alternative is to purchase earmuffs (sound protectors) for your child. If covering their ears is common this may provide the relief and comfort they seek. I purchased shooting range ear muffs at my local sporting goods store for about $24.
Physical instability - some children are uncomfortable sitting on a toilet seat or potty. Many fear they will fall in and don't like the exposed feeling. Consider sitting right in front of them with your palms on their thighs. Talking to them and praising them with a soothing voice will encourage them to use the potty and make them feel more comfortable. Slowly withdraw your hands at each sitting until you no longer have to place your hands on their thighs. An encouraging, "You did it by yourself" with a warm smile and a hug or high five will reinforce their actions.
Touch and Texture - resistance to wiping is not uncommon and is often a challenge with the average child. They are so used to mommy wiping with baby wipes that the physical process of doing this themselves can be confusing to them. Point of view is important here. Wiping yourself is in fact an awkward movement and a toddler may not be very understanding of this physical challenge. If the texture of the tissue is a problem take a piece of toilet paper and have the child wipe their forearm. Say soothing words like, "look how soft that is"
Pushing - some children do not understand the concept of pushing. For some reason some children cannot connect the action of pushing into a diaper the same as pushing when on a potty. One of the things you can do is take your child's hand and place it on your lower abdomen. Physical push as you press their hand against you. Then have them repeat this on their own body.
What is a good Child Psychology Book for difficult 3 year olds?
mfortenbau
I have a 3 year old , who is fantastic but very stubborn. She has bad tantrums, will not use the potty and is still in a crib. I need to better understand how to cope and help her.
Answer
I went to the bookstore this weekend. They have tons of books on the topic. They are actually called Parenting books but they are psychological in nature. And they word they use is Spirited, not difficult. Try goggleing very spirited children and I'm sure you will come up with many resources.
I went to the bookstore this weekend. They have tons of books on the topic. They are actually called Parenting books but they are psychological in nature. And they word they use is Spirited, not difficult. Try goggleing very spirited children and I'm sure you will come up with many resources.
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