SOOO Stubborn 5 yr old potty training | Autism PDD

my daughter is the same way and I felt as desperate as you. I take her out of diapers when we get home. She will pee but will not poop unless there is a diaper on. She also holds it all day. I am going to wait for her...one thing you can do is hire a toilet-training aba service (very expensive) but if it is a matter of school, you can insist on putting it in the iep and try your luck.
We are in the same boat! *hugs*
missnippy/Yvonne

A member of this forum with autism reminds us often that academics and basic skills like potty training are two very separate issues. Your son's obvious intelligence is an asset for him, but not necessary helpful in the area of potty training, for example if there are sensory issues involved. My son's potty breakthrough came when we let him sit facing backwards, so he could hold onto the tank. This overcame his feeling of "gravitational insecurity."

Here's my list of potty resources which might give you some help and inspiration. The first article listed covers sensory issues. Please ignore the yellow highlighting, and let me know if a link is broken (sometimes all it takes is to delete blank spaces). Good luck with everything!

Good informational articles on potty training for autistics:

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.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.

Sample social stories:

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.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.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;postorder=asc&start=30&sid=bcd79481a4a6c4c7b016a 1125d7803a5 - simple social story used by a special ed teacher

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.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

Other:

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

You do need to be very careful if the child is actively withholding. This can lead to serious toileting and health issues (encoprecis, megacolon) and exacerbate the problem you are trying to solve. Other's will give you some practical advice, but I just wanted to chime in and agree with your kid's pediatrician. As you point out, toileting issues have little to do with intelligence. It's a control thing or a sensory thing, but in either case, I'm not sure you can force the issue if he's not ready to coorperate. Just keep up with positive reinforcement and encouragement - since he knows what he's supposed to do, bribery might work great.

HELP! This past summer I had twins (now almost 3 mos old). I desperately need my 5 yr old out of diapers! I feel like a diaper changing queen! His preschool has done everything trying to get him potty trained. They've been so supportive. They tried multiple times last year when we knew the babies were coming and trying to be prepared. He is just so stubborn. He is a smart child. Ready for a fully integrated kindergarten class. Knows letters, numbers, reads some, emerging social skills, good lanuage developing...He knows exactly what to do. He loves his social story book. He loves routines and is very rigid. He will read his potty "schedule" every time out loud. He will talk about his friends at school and will watch them use the toilet. But, we can sit on that potty for hours and he will not go! He holds it all day, no matter how much we give him to drink, no matter what amazing reinforcements we offer. As long as he has no diaper on, he will not go! Then he goes in the night in bed. Who knows how long he is sleeping in it. This was why his pediatrician has told us a couple times to stop trying because the "holding it" is just so unhealthy. Even changing his diaper right now causes him to flinch and squirm. This whole situation is so frustrating! It's even harder putting the time into it with the twins at home. We need help!!