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Potty Training

JuneBug86JuneBug86 member
in Special Needs
DS is almost 2.5 and is completely non verbal. It will probably be a while yet before we get serious about potty training but I'm starting to look into it now.
I've read a few books and did some research online and from what I understand, the main thing to watch for to know they are ready to potty train is when they start telling you they need to pee or poop or they are asking about the potty etc. What about if they are non verbal? How do you know if they are ready?
So far he basically ignores the potty but will either point to his crotch when he has a wet diaper or points to his bum when he has a soiled diaper. He doesn't give any signs before hand though. Im guessing he's getting close to being ready. Should I wait until he starts to give some sort of sign prior to peeing or pooping in his diaper?
How did you go about potty training? Any advice?
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Re: Potty Training

  • JoJoGeeJoJoGee member
    I have the same type of questions. My daughter can sign some, and we just got her a tablet with an AAC app, so I think we can work our way around her being nonverbal. But, I'd like to hear everyones input. Also, if anyone has anything to add about potty training a child who is nonambulatory, I'd like to hear that too.
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  • malcivarmalcivar member

    image-auntie-:
    Being aware of being wet and soiled is one of the signs you would look for. Some others would be seeking seclusion for stooling (which indicated he knows before hand) and waking dry (which means he is neurologically and phsyiologically mature enough for the task).

    We're trying but not holding our breath.  He wakes up dry many days and will sometimes go for hours with a dry diaper, but other mornings he wakes up with a huge wet diaper.  He will sometimes go somewhere else to stool or sometimes he'll just do it right there.  We're sitting him on the potty after meals and at school they put him on every couple of hours and after breakfast and lunch but he's only gone #1 a couple of times.  Once for me, once for my mom who watches him during the day but no real luck.  

    We're not stressing it too much but he is 3 yrs old already so we're really hoping he takes to it soon. 

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  • lite-brightlite-bright member

    With DD1 (ASD), we just did a lot of practice once she started showing interest in what happens in the bathroom. Practicing sitting on the potty with clothes on, then naked before a bath (with the water running for, um, inspiration!), then adding more and more practice sessions during the day. Praising the heck out of her/offering rewards when we managed to catch her at the right time for a pee or poop. I think you can do all of that with a child, verbal or non-verbal. Eventually she caught on and did start telling us before she had to go. For most of that period we didn't know she had ASD, so we just picked a method that we thought would work for her and us (vs. the three-day, cold-turkey-type PTing methods). 

    I will say, though, that giving signs beforehand has been a real sticking point even with my NT daughter -- she'll be three in March. She's pooped on the potty a handful of times b/c she sees DD1 do it, and will pee if we put her there; but most of the motivation has been from us putting her on the potty rather than her indicating she has to go. I keep thinking she's ready and she just isn't quite there yet. Less than three is still pretty young, IMO. 

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    DD1, 1/5/2008 ~~~ DD2, 3/17/2010
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  • Jinsy80Jinsy80 member
    I'd love to know too. DD2 doesn't talk/sign yet at almost 26 months. She keeps trying (and is often successful) to take off her clothes and pajamas. I've been putting her in onesies a lot. We didn't train DD1 until 2 1/2 though (and she didn't get it 100% until around her third birthday)...she wasn't delayed at all. We'll probably wait until it's warmer out, so when DD2 is 2 1/2.
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  • mamantrainingmamantraining member
    I trained my son at 22 months when he wasn't talking besides some sounds. He would point to himself to tell us he needed to go. At this point, he still can't say potty or anything close, but he makes his own sounds and we know what it means.

    As far as preparation, I got him used to the potty before hand by making it fun and took pics of him on it and made a short book out of it.

    I've also trained many kids on the spectrum who have limited vocabs. If you can find your own special sign or sound and the child understands what it represents and is physically ready then it can be done.

    P.S. this is my first post on these boards. I have been reading for months and finally decided to join :
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