It's Potty Time...

I always pictured potty training the same way I imagine most parents did, start potty training at some point between 18 and 24 months. After a week or two, they would be on there way to no accidents, etc. LOL! Potty training can be difficult for stereotypical kiddos, but for those on the spectrum, it's maybe a little harder. We tried to get the boys on the potty at 24, 30 and then 36 months - with Daniel it was a scream fest. No luck there. Anthony would sit on the potty at 18 months, but wouldn't use it. We did had one success over the months we tried to potty train Anthony. We tried several times over the last few years. The different potty chairs, with cars, ones that make the flushing sound, ones that play music when the kiddo goes.

We bought DVDs for them to watch and books for them to read. We tried having them watch daddy use the potty, since he's the same sex (and their hero). The most successful process we'd had: get them to sit on a potty chair in the living room (clothed). When they were comfortable with that, we would move it closer and closer to the bathroom every day. Once it was in the bathroom, we worked on having them sit on the potty in just their diaper. Once they had that down, it was time to remove the diaper. That got them on the potty and ready for business.

Once they were finally sitting on the potty chair without any grumbling, no diaper and for several minutes at a time - the toddler potty got too small. So, we went for the insert for the potty... again too small and wobbled too much. So, we found alternatives:

The first one is a travel potty seat, it folds up for travel,but the boys would rather play with it than use it. We take it with us when we go out, but the boys seem to prefer a to sit on a regular size potty seat than this one. The best item we've bought to date has to be the potty seat/regular seat combination. It replaces the regular toilet seat with a regular size seat and a smaller one (two in one seat). The smaller seat and lid won't slam down. The boys don't wobble on the potty and it fits their little tushy. We finally worked with the pull ups but with us even with rewarding for keeping them dry and using the potty (when they would go)... still: pull ups 15 - potty 1.

So, we turned to ABA (applied behavior analysis). Our provider has an intensive program. We started with Anthony this week, he's doing really well. We've had a few accidents, and had to "wait him out" a few times. (I don't think I've ever spent so much time in a bathroom). My husband and I tried to figure out why he was having accidents, when he clearly knew he had to go. We finally figured that it's because the boys work so hard all week (being told what to do), this they can control. At least that's our theory. Next week we'll start Daniel. I'll update you later on to let you know how it's going... or went. 

From a mother's heart - whether a child is autistic or not, consistency in always the key. God Bless and good luck to those in the same boat (now or in the future).