Potty Resources | Autism PDD

I decided to put my latest list of potty resources under its own topic.  Please let me know if you discover a broken link.

Free online audio/video:

http://www.childnett.tv/videos/lectures/brian_roselione_toil et_training_children_developmental_disabilities  - Brian Roselione, MS, BCABA, explores the challenges and strategies for toilet training children with disabilities.

http://www.5min.com/Video/How-to-Toilet-Train-a-Child-with-A utism-7673 - video by a pediatrician.

http://www.centerforautism.com/Resources/Autism_Presentation s.asp - audio from Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD)

Signs of readiness:

http://www.babycenter.com/0_potty-training-readiness-checkli st_4384.bc - traditional NT list

http://www.dssri.org/pdf/dssrinews0106.pdf - "Toilet training a child with special needs", including list of readiness signs

Resources focused on sensory issues and potty training

http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/The_SPD_Companion -SPD-and-potty-training.html - The Sensory Processing Disorder Companion newsletter issue devoted to potty training.

http://www.sensorysmarts.com/tips.html - a few tips about potty training.  More can be found in their book "Raising a Sensory Smart Child" (p. 141-142).

http://www.bbbautism.com/e.news/vol.4/vol_4_iss_3_tips_part_ one_plaintext.htm - includes parent tips plus tips from the book "Building bridges through sensory integration" by Shirley Sutton, OT.

http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/sensory-processin g-disorder-checklist.html - checklist for identifying general over- and undersensitivities

Good informational articles on potty training for autistics:

http://maxweber.hunter.cuny.edu/pub/eres/EDSPC715_MCINTYRE/A utism&Toileting.html - "Autism and Toileting" by D. Mamlet.  Includes general info and a specific example.

http://www.beagooddad.com/1143/guide-to-potty-training-an-au tistic-child/ - a  family's blog, with posts written during and after potty training.

http://psychmamma.wordpress.com/2008/08/21/the-potty-trainin g-saga/ - one Mom's experience.  They used a home-made potty game (sticker chart that looks like a board game) and an interactive potty book called "Lift the lid, use the potty."

http://eric.ed.gov/ERICDocs/data/ericdocs2sql/content_storag e_01/0000019b/80/13/23/81.pdf - "Functional programming for people with autism:  Toileting", a 17 page brochure from Indiana Resource Center for Autism.  If you don't like the xeroxed-copy look of this free online booklet, you can order the booklet for .00 from the IRCA.

http://books.google.no/books?id=dwO2ZBUG6HsC&pg=PA212&am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;lpg=PA212&dq=%22toilet+training+plan%22+autism+-dog&am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;source=web&ots=Rp7Bbm3O1V&sig=XCk7CfTdagM-3hrqLfXR lSs9fL8&hl=no&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=9&a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;a mp;ct=result#PPA209,M1 - chapter 14, "Toileting", from the book "How to live with autism and Asperger syndrome" by Chris Williams et al.  Looked really reader-friendly.

http://www.epinions.com/content_4025262212 - description of one autism mom's experience.  She includes links to visual aids/PECS.

http://www.teacch.com/toilet.html - advice from TEACHH.  Includes a checklist, which some kids find motivating (task completion).

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=528&a=3366 - from the National Autistic Society in the UK

http://www.autismsa.org.au/pdf/strategies/IS20_Toileting.pdf - Information sheet from the Autism Association of South Australia.

http://www.ocali.org/pdf_family/PG_Chapter_3.pdf - 4 page article, including a visual checklist and an hourly chart for keeping track of diaper wetness/bowel movements PRIOR to starting potty training.  Starts on page 45.

http://www.autism-help.org/behavior-toilet-training.htm - article by Gary Heffner.  See separate post below for his list of potty training links.  His MSN group has a list of links, and I've added some of them here.

http://www.autism.org/temple/faq.html - A paragraph from Temple Grandin on potty training.

www.autism.about.com has a section called "Toilet Train Your Child with Autism."  

http://specialchildren.about.com/od/earlyintervention/a/nopa nts.htm - "The No-Pants Toilet Training Method"

http://www.med.monash.edu.au/spppm/research/devpsych/actnow/ download/factsheet36.pdf - Fact sheet from an autism program based out of an Australian university.

http://www.autismtoday.com/articles/potty_training.htm - "The Challenge of Potty Training"

http://www.danasview.net/abadrill.htm - Mom's story of using ABA principles to potty train an almost nonverbal 6 year old.

http://faqautism.com/2007/08/diapers-and-respect/ - Thoughts on diaper discretion and potty words.  Don't say bathroom if you're not talking about taking a bath -- kids with autism tend to be literal-minded.

http://lindahodgdon.com/newsletters.html - The May 2009 newsletter was about how diaper changing was a pleasant social bonding time for a child, which probably caused a stumbling block in potty training.  Only the current month displays, so you might have to click on May 2009 in the archive in the top right menu.

http://faqautism.com/2007/07/public-restrooms/ - public restrooms and your older or adult child.  How about taking a "do not disturb" or "occupied" sign with you and hanging it on the doorknob of restrooms with no lock?

http://www.rootandsprout.com/archives/1538 - special needs potty training, short and sweet, with tips from three different books.

Toilet training in school/daycare:

http://www.bridges4kids.org/IEP/iep.goal.bank.pdf - IEP goals, see Toileting, page 131

http://www.sad61.k12.me.us/Web-Conferences/District%20Polici es/FOV2-0010961C/FC-JHC%20-%20Toilet%20Training.pdf?FCItemID =S00831B38 - sample school policy on toilet training plans.

http://www.domdinis.com/toilet.html - sample daycare policy for typical kids, showing what the staff does in the 4 phases of training (pre-readiness, familiarization, in training, and transition to independence). 

http://www.autism-pdd.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=28506&am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;TPN=1 - IEP goals from one of our members.

http://www.medhomeportal.org/issues/index.cfm?diag_id=95& ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;issue_id=19&menu_id=21 - toilet training as a school goal

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art17322.asp - list of questions a mom prepared for talking to the school about toileting issues for her nonverbal child with autism.

Legal rights, etc. for older children

http://www.doe.mass.edu/lawsregs/603cmr18.html?section=03 - Toileting procedures and toilet training in state of Massachusetts school code.

http://ctsp.tamu.edu/faq.php?Category=22#216 - Schools are responsible for health procedures.

http://www.dsawm.org/PDF/NL200609.pdf - legal information on disabled children's right to diapering and toileting help at pre-school, page 1 and 5.

http://www.ada.gov/childq&a.htm - legal information from the US Department of Justice about how the American Disabilities Act affects potty training requirements in child care centers.

http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/foia/cltr148.txt - more from the US Department of Justice, including school age children in after-school programs.

http://www.bridges4kids.org/AA/q23.html - what to do if your child is excluded from an after school program

http://www.autism-pdd.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=32388&am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;PN=1&TPN=1 - how to get free diapers.

http://randychapman.wordpress.com/2009/05/14/toileting-assis tance-in-child-care-and-the-ada/

Sample social stories:

http://www.mcesa.k12.mi.us/SocialScripts/SocialScripts.htm - illustrated social stories in powerpoint format about using the using the bathroom, passing gas, and dry pants (also in Spanish).

http://www.kansasasd.com/node/9  - wet vs. dry, Sometimes I Poop, I Can Potty, Using Public Restroom and two hand-washing stories.  Elmo potty chart.  

http://www.setbc.org/pictureset/resources/potty_story/potty_ story.pdf - with illustrations

http://www.polyxo.com/socialstories/ss0004.html - 

http://www.autism-india.org/apr00.html

http://www.butterflyeffects.com/tips/toilet-training-tips-so cial-story-for-toilet-training.aspx

http://www.frsd.k12.nj.us/autistic/Social%20Stories/Pages/go ing_to_the_bathroom.htm

http://etd.lib.ttu.edu/theses/available/etd-10212006-124110/ unrestricted/Brown_Donna_Diss.pdf  - page 183 in the document (page 193 according to the viewer), specifically about flushing.

http://www.machkovich.com/CorysAutismRecovery/SocialStories/ GoingToTheRestroomInPublicPlaces.pdf  - about using a public restroom (with pictures)

http://www.machkovich.com/CorysAutismRecovery/SocialStories/ OnceUponAPotty_2.pdf - about staying dry at night (with pictures)

http://sam26847.tripod.com/id5.html - potty story with pictures

http://sam26847.tripod.com/id23.html - poop story with pictures

http://www.fcps.edu/ss/its/howtos/socstor/Bathroom%20Book.pd f - bathroom story with pictures

http://www.fcps.edu/ss/its/howtos/socstor/In%20the%20Bathroo m.pdf - about leaving the classroom to use the bathroom.

http://www.fcps.edu/ss/its/howtos/socstor/My%20Potty%20Book. pdf - about potty training (peeing only)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/1853029505/ref=sib_dp_pt/104 -5219620-8195900#reader-link - an in-depth story about using the toilet and another about washing hands from Carol Gray's book "My Social Stories".

http://www.thepartnership-yh.org.uk/pages/viewpage.asp?uniqi d=62 (just lick on Social Stories - Leeds).  This story is about urinals.

http://forums.rocmoms.com/viewtopic.php?t=57&postdays= 0& amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp; amp;postorder=asc&start=30&sid=bcd79481a4a6c4c 7b016a 1125d7803a5 - simple social story used by a special ed teacher

http://www.ccsd.edu/files/filesystem/My%20Going%20Potty%20St ory.pdf - potty story with clip art illustrations.

http://tarheelreader.org/?s=%22i+want+bathroom%22 - short story prompting the child to request "I want bathroom" at school.

Online potty videos for kids:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Py75ItSujtU - video modeling made by a sibling.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gnp6-guekQk&feature=relat ed - "It's Potty Time" professional video, 22 minutes long.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSznf5We2Jc - video social story about using the bathroom at school instead of peeing outside on the playground.  With Tom and Jerry!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9v-nKxH2NE&feature=relat ed - Once Upon a Potty

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3sX8VgGT7o&feature=relat ed - Potty video in Japanese, but it gets the point across!

Picture Checklists/Routines:

http://www.do2learn.com/makeaschedule/helpdocs/index.htm - using the toilet checklist with text and simple pictures for each step.

http://www.visualaidsforlearning.com/toilettraining-pack-lea rning.htm - visuals for boys, for girls and for washing hands.

http://www.do2learn.com/picturecards/printcards/selfhelp_toi leting.htm - more toileting visuals from do2learn.

http://www.setbc.org/setbc/communication/frame_pictureset.ht ml?refpage=/pictureset/SubCategory.aspx?id=50  - toilet routine

http://www.setbc.org/setbc/communication/frame_pictureset.ht ml?refpage=/pictureset/SubCategory.aspx?id=50  - bathroom routine

http://www.setbc.org/setbc/communication/frame_pictureset.ht ml?refpage=/pictureset/SubCategory.aspx?id=50  - boy's public bathroom routine

Kid stuff:

http://www.lil-fingers.com/potty/index.html - online potty book.  Look at it alone first, to see if you want to use the sound (a talking toilet!) or read it aloud yourself.

http://www.sesameworkshop.org/sesamestreet/games/pottytime/f lash.php?contentId=16805504 - Elmo online potty game

http://www.forumeter.com/video/61809/How-to-poop - Japanese potty video.  Super cute!

Fecal smearing:

See tips on page 2 of this topic.

Constipation and other "problem poops":

http://www.missioncisd.net/education/sctemp/56408fa557e02818 a9e198610fd4c7dd/1240737960/Sample_IHP_Encopresis.pdf  - - sample Individual Healthcare Plan (IHP) for students with encopresis.

http://www.parents.com/baby/care/diapers/baby-poop1/;jsessio nid=ZYTAKHXWBIPFRQFIBRAB5VQ?page=1  - Parents magazine article on what to expect at various stages, plus a list of "problem poop", what it could be caused by and what your doctor might do.

http://www.familydoctor.co.uk/htdocs/BOWELS/BOWELS_specimen.html - chart with illustrations of the 7 types of stool, so you can tell a healthy stool from constipated or loose, watery stools.

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/1 12/4/939 - Study showing that constipation in autistic children can be more severe than the usual symptoms suggest.

http://www.healthcare.uiowa.edu/cdd/patients/enco2.asp - very reader-friendly article about encopresis (bowel movement accidents)

http://groups.msn.com/TheAutismHomePage/constipation.msnw - article with good links.

http://www.autism-pdd.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=20562&am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p; amp;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;PN=1&TPN=4 - topic on our forum with recipes for fruitlax and "get up and go cookies."

http://www.autism-pdd.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=31141&am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;am p;TPN=2 - topic on our forum with recipe for pear jelly using psyllium husk powder (which I believe can be bought at health food stores and is an ingredient in products like Metamucil). 

http://www.talkaboutcuringautism.org/medical/poops.htm - "The Poop Page" from TACA, with tips and links about various bowel issues.

http://www.med.umich.edu/yourchild/topics/encopre.htm- Webpage on encopresis from the University of Michigan Health System.  Includes kids' resources.

http://www.disabilitysolutions.org/newsletters/files/one/1-1 .pdf - Disability Solutions on constipation in Down Syndrome.  Like many kids with autism, kids with DS are subject to low muscle tone which affects bowel movements.  See page 13.

For purchase (I have no experience with these products):

http://www.amazon.com/Toilet-Training-Individuals-Related-Di sorders/dp/1885477457/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-5219620-8195900? ie =UTF8&s=books&qid=1179811052&sr=8-1  - book by Maria Wheeler called "Toilet Training for Individuals with Autism and Related Disorders", soon to be released in a new edition.  Given 4 out of 5 stars by 17 Amazon reviewers.

http://www.amazon.com/Lift-Potty-Nifty-Lift-Look/dp/03758114 6X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1221372320&sr= 8-2 - children's interactive potty book "Lift the lid, use the potty".

http://www.creativepottytraining.com/index.html:  An idea for doing a game instead of a sticker chart.

http://www.pottytrainingconcepts.com - potty training products and information, very extensive, but not specializing in developmentally disabled kids.

http://www.nextag.com/portable-camping-toilet/search-html - camping toilets that you could use as a potty chair for an older children.

http://www.tinkletoonz.com/special_needs.html - Tinkletoonz musical potty and  wetness sensor.  This link goes directly to the section about autism.

http://www.amazon.com/Potty-Power-Artist-Not-Provided/dp/B00 02B55DO - the "Potty Power" DVD is recommended by one of our members and by 290 Amazon reviewers (4-1/2 stars).  Search for "Potty Power" on youtube and you can hear some of the music in various home videos.

Good luck with everything!

NorwayMom40744.0446064815

Thank-you!

I am going to work my way through the list!

It seems like 3 steps forward, 2 steps back for us, over and over!

Thanks again!

I'm bumping this one since the subject of potty training came up on the forum today.

For those struggling with bowel movement issues, constipation is always a possible factor, even when symptoms don't seem to point that way.

The abstract linked below says that in autistic children, the severity of constipation (for example megarectum) is hard to predict from the usual indicators of stool frequency, soiling, abdominal pain, etc.  A radiograph is more accurate.

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/1 12/4/939

 

Just thought I'd let everyone that I've added two good info resources to the list at the top of this post.  They're also listed below for your convenience.

http://www.autismsa.org.au/pdf/strategies/IS20_Toileting.pdf - Information sheet from the Autism Association of South Australia.

http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/The_SPD_Companion -SPD-and-potty-training.html - The Sensory Processing Disorder Companion newsletter issue devoted to potty training.

Good luck everybody! 

Cole made progress today!

He came and told me "Mom, I have poo-poo and I took my pullup off."  That's the good news...bad news, well, you know...Lysol, Clorox, etc.

Later, he asked to watch Herbie the Love Bug (the old one - they love it) and I said no.  Then, he saw the treat cabinet still open from me sprinting to it to reward him for telling me about the poop.  There on the shelf were marshamallows, the Kings of treats.  He asked for a marshmallow.

Finally I said, if you can go pee pee or poo poo on the toilet, you can have marshmallows AND watch Herbie the Love Bug.  And what to my wondering eyes did appear but a little kid peeing like he'd just drank a beer!

Gotta go watch Herbie, but needed to share.  Woo-hoo!  He is now wearing brand new Capt. Jack Sparrow underpants, called dad (and he spoke 2 sentences on the phone!!!!!!) to tell him the news, Jack's running around yellling "WOOOOO-HOOOOO!  Cole peeeeed!", and both boys may vomit pure white shrapnel from marshmallows.

Oh, happy day!

Awesome news LeAnne!  You might want to explain that pee-pee, poo-poo and VOMIT go in the potty, just in case. 

We've been on a Herbie kick since January, and I even made a Herbie book for the kids in April -- with googled images and Norwegian text at my son's reading level.

Hmm, come to think of it, Herbie actually "pees" oil on people...  That car needs a social story!

 

Cole loves it when Herbie pees on Mr. Thornton, and tells us exactly what he's doing!  Gosh, now to find a photo of Jim wiping Herbie's rear bumper!

And yes, Kristy - vomit is the NEXT item we shoot for toilet entry!  Need to explain that to both my boys - the last puke deposit was made my Jack on the back of Cole's sleeping head.  May have told ya'll that in my delusional, sleep deprived state!

We're back to multiple smudgettes in the old pullup today, but he did pee once for me when bribed.  Oh, and he lost his 6th tooth today.  LOST it, just like 4 prior ones.  Gotta sweep the entire house and hopefully locate it.  I fear it may be in tomorrow's pullup.  Um, anyone want to head over and help me look tomorrow?  Nasty - think I'll let the tooth fairy bring her shovels and do it herself.

Am about to start a Herbie social peeing story tonight - wishing you all a very happy oil change!

Tinkletoonz musical potty chairs are now selling the musical sensory separately, which you can put in the child's training pants.  It tells you as soon as the pants are wet, so you can take the child to the bathroom immediately to help them learn to they would eventually associate and connect the fact of peeing and going to the actual toilet.

http://www.tinkletoonz.com/special_needs.html

www.autism.about.com has a section called "Toilet Train Your Child with Autism."  Here are the short articles under the section:

1. Prepare to Be Patient
2. Be Sure Your Child Is Healthy
3. When to Start Toilet Training
4. Start Hydrating
5. Get Ready for a Potty Party
6. Start Your Potty Party!
7. Focus on Bowel Movements
8. Toilet Teaching Tips for Working Parents
9. How to Manage Fecal Smearing
10. Resources

Today I ran across some free online potty videos on youtube.  I added them to the list on the first post under this topic, but I'll put them here too:

Online potty videos for kids:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Py75ItSujtU - video modeling made by a sibling.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gnp6-guekQk&feature=relat ed - "It's Potty Time" professional video, 22 minutes long.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSznf5We2Jc - video social story about using the bathroom at school instead of peeing outside on the playground.  With Tom and Jerry!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9v-nKxH2NE&feature=relat ed - Once Upon a Potty

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3sX8VgGT7o&feature=relat ed - Potty video in Japanese, but it gets the point across!

Spectrummum posted this today under another topic (thanks!).  I especially liked tip number one:

Under another topic today, I compared a traditional readiness list and a special needs readiness list: 

http://www.babycenter.com/0_potty-training-readiness-checkli st_4384.bc - traditional NT list

http://www.dssri.org/pdf/dssrinews0106.pdf - "Toilet training a child with special needs", including list of readiness signs

Here are the differences I noted:

imitation - for obvious reasons.  It doesn't make a normal list because it's a skill that normally shows up early.

make believe - maybe it signals being far enough along in development

searches for his toy - probably because it means the child thinks about things that aren't visible, and then takes action. 

knowing what a bathroom is for - kids with autism don't just pick that up.  They have to be trained directly.

gestures - a nonverbal child can be ready to train, as long as he can communicate in some way.

motor skills - talks about sitting and squatting,  not just walking and dressing.  Maybe because a certain level of muscle tone is necessary for toileting control?  I do know that hypotonia affects toileting.  Here are the signs of low muscle tone/hypotonia:

3. Poor Muscle Tone And/Or Coordination:

__ has a limp, "floppy" body

__ frequently slumps, lies down, and/or leans head on hand or arm while working at his/her desk

__ difficulty simultaneously lifting head, arms, and legs off the floor while lying on stomach ("superman" position)

__ often sits in a "W sit" position on the floor to stabilize body

__ fatigues easily!

__ compensates for "looseness" by grasping objects tightly

__ difficulty turning doorknobs, handles, opening and closing items

__ difficulty catching him/her self if falling

__ difficulty getting dressed and doing fasteners, zippers, and buttons

__ may have never crawled as an baby

__ has poor body awareness; bumps into things, knocks things over, trips, and/or appears clumsy

__ poor gross motor skills; jumping, catching a ball, jumping jacks, climbing a ladder etc.

__ poor fine motor skills; difficulty using "tools", such as pencils, silverware, combs, scissors etc.

__ may appear ambidextrous, frequently switching hands for coloring, cutting, writing etc.; does not have an established hand preference/dominance by 4 or 5 years old

__ has difficulty licking an ice cream cone

__ seems to be unsure about how to move body during movement, for example, stepping over something

__ difficulty learning exercise or dance steps

Source:  http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/sensory-processin g-disorder-checklist.html

 

I added four resources to the list today, including an interactive children's book called "Lift the lid, use the potty" illustrated by Lisa McCue, one of my favorite illustrators.  If I had known about this book when my kids were potty training, I would have bought it.  Of course, I haven't actually seen the book, but 9 Amazon reviewers gave it 4 out of 5 stars.

Here are the links:

http://www.amazon.com/Lift-Potty-Nifty-Lift-Look/dp/03758114 6X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1221372320&sr= 8-2 - "Lift the lid, use the potty."

http://www.5min.com/Video/How-to-Toilet-Train-a-Child-with-A utism-7673 - video by a pediatrician.

http://maxweber.hunter.cuny.edu/pub/eres/EDSPC715_MCINTYRE/A utism&Toileting.html - "Autism and Toileting" by D. Mamlet.  Includes general info and a specific example.

http://psychmamma.wordpress.com/2008/08/21/the-potty-trainin g-saga/ - one Mom's experience.  They used a home-made potty game (sticker chart that looks like a board game) and an interactive potty book called "Lift the lid, use the potty."

Here are some resources on dealing with fecal smearing:

Tips from our forum:

You can find jumpsuits with back zips (including Halloween costumes) to prevent the behavior, and one mother on our forum uses duct tape to make a "super hero belt" to prevent diaper access and prevent smearing.

You can search on this forum for "fecal smearing" or "diaper diving" and find more tips, but here's a sample fecal smearing topic that was quite active:

http://www.autism-pdd.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=30738&am p;PN=0&TPN=1

Tips from an online newsletter:

<quote>

There are two likely reasons behind fecal smearing:

1) attention (the child gains a large amount of attention albeit negative, but attention just the same)

2) sensory input (the child has something with a unique texture and a uniquely strong smell.

If it is undifferentiated when you determine the function then you can employ both of the following techniques:

1) Provide absolutely no attention to the child. Clean up the mess without giving the child eye contact or any verbalizations. Be sure the give the child plenty of attention during times when they are using appropriate behavior. (Especially if they eliminate in the toilet)

2) Start the child on a sensory diet for smells and textures. This would include many different types of putty and squeeze balls and essential oils that have strong odors.  Tea tree oil has a nice strong scent and is safe for them to smell.

<unquote>

Source:  http://www.poac-nova.org/news_uploads/234/PIES2005version3_5 .pdf (p. 50)

Tips from autism.about.com:

<quote>

How to Manage Fecal Smearing

<unquote>

Source:  http://autism.about.com/od/childrenandautism/ss/toilettrain_ 9.htm

NorwayMom39833.9524884259Has anyone tried the tinkle toonz thing -- if it plays music that would help me and him get the idea and I may not have to just watch him without taking my eye off to know!

Stephanie
Thanks for posting these links.  I haven't looked at them yet, but am anxious to as we are having an impossible time with my son.

QUESTION for fellow members - I just read something (a link that was actually posted from this board) about Sensory Issues - in general.  One of the points under ???????? (don't remember title, but something like hyposensitivity) said that a condition of autism (for some kids) is that they do not feel the sensation of when they need to empty the bladder/bowel movement.

Has anyone else heard this?  I'm really thinking this may be the problem with my son.  But, I'm wondering why no therapist or teacher has ever mentioned this.  BTW - my son is 11 and we have been toilet training for years.  If he happens to be on the toilet when he has to go, he will (poop also).  But, if he's not in the bathroom, he just goes where he is.  He definitely understands the concept of using the toilet.

Any ideas or theories appreciated!
Bumping this for people to read!

7

143hayden40406.1538657407Here's a topic on our forum about a vibrating watch that can be used to remind your child to go to the bathroom.

http://www.autism-pdd.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=34776

Adults can have problems catching and interpreting the bladder's signals, especially under sensory overload:

"Donna Williams, Ph.D, bestselling author, artist, and musician, had extreme sensory processing challenges as a child and still has some, but to a lesser degree. Donna talks about feeling a sensation in her stomach area, but not knowing if her bladder is full, or if it means her stomach hurts because she is hungry. Other adults mentioned that they share the same challenge especially when experiencing sensory overload in crowded noisy areas. They shared that they set their cell phones to ring every two hours, to prompt them to use the restroom, in order to avoid a potentially embarrassing situation."

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-autism-advocate/2010 03/what-is-sensory-processing-disorder-and-how-is-it-related -autism
Norway mom, you are such a great resource.  This last one caught my attention.  I wonder if my son has such a problem because he is in sensory overload.  It would make sense.  As he is non-verbal, he can't tell me.  Something to think about. Thanks!

Harriet
All I can say about such circumstances is, "When in doubt, go."  Better safe than sorry. Here's a kid's website about washing hands:

http://www.oopkids.com/clean_hands.html

And a music video for kids on washing hands:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxlQn7KaCNU&feature=relat ed

NorwayMom40124.1682523148

Under another thread, forum member gr33nie tipped us about "Booty Camp."  Here's a Today show video and article on "Booty Camp" in West Chicago (for those who live far away, a DVD package is available).  Today says:

"Sweeney, a registered nurse and the mother of six, told TODAY’s Ann Curry that her system actually works about 98 percent of the time. Based on Nathan H. Azrin’s book “Toilet Training in Less Than a Day,” the woman who is called the “Potty Whisperer” trains parents as much as she teaches the toddlers."

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/25057503

Here's a link to the special needs section of the "camp's" website:

http://bootycampmom.com/Default.aspx?pgid=588ecdf4-3bd0-42b3 -8a1c-f78838ce9cfa

This page shows the price of various packages, including the DVD package.

http://bootycampmom.com/Default.aspx?pgid=f993ff84-277d-47df -96b5-648210850abc

 

"Toilet training for adolescents on the autism spectrum"

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art67258.asp/zzz

Go to this topic for information on free diapers for older kids with ASD:

http://www.autism-pdd.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=32388&am p;PN=1&TPN=1

It's been six months since this resource collection was on the current view, so I thought I'd bump it. 

Today I added this link to the list:

http://www.beagooddad.com/1143/guide-to-potty-training-an-au tistic-child/ - a  family's blog, with posts written during and after potty training.

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