FAQautism

Toileting is a serious issue for some individuals with autism. Realistically, many of our friends are simply not going to magically transform into a person who takes care of toileting independently. They need a systematic plan tailored to their specific situation, and they need a perceptive, patient coach to help with the process. The first step is crucial – determining what factors contribute to toileting troubles.

Listen Now:

 Standard Podcast [5:34m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The reasons behind failure of toilet-training efforts vary greatly. Some people are being purposefully defiant, but others struggle with toileting issues for very different reasons.
1. Some people cannot communicate their need to use the restroom, so they have occasional accidents.
2. Some people with autism do not notice the cues our bodies provide in advance. In some cases, people may notice the discomfort, but not recognize the discomfort is a signal that should not be ignored.
3. Some are not motivated to move beyond the usual method of having a bowel movement in a diaper.
4. Some individuals do not seem to notice or care if they have a toileting accident. Others strongly resist changes in routine, even if sticking with a routine results in soiled pants.
5. Some individuals with autism thrive on the attention and reaction of adults around them when they have an accident. Sometimes we are reactive instead of proactive in dealing with toileting issues.
6. Extreme auditory sensitivities can cause people with autism to avoid toilets and bathrooms at all costs because of the sudden loud noises. Other sensory issues can also contribute to toilet-training failure.
7. Some individuals with autism do not have the cognitive abilities or motor skills necessary to take care of toileting independently. Or they may simply not be developmentally ready.
8. In some cases, toilet-training failures are a result of inconsistent training or impatient nagging on the part of caregivers. Sometimes families, teachers, or other caregivers are simply too busy to spend the many hours necessary for a successful toilet-training program.

Some of these issues contributing to toileting accidents may not seem logical to us, but we need to realize that individuals with autism do not always view the world in the same way as their more typical peers. Our goal is not to hammer logic into the heads of our friends nor to lecture them about their shortcomings, but, rather, to patiently and systematically help them develop a new habit of using a toilet.

As we said at the top of this podcast, we simply must take time to scout out factors causing toilet-training failure in order to develop an effective plan. For example, our plan for a person with extraordinary sensory issues would be very different from a person with significant cognitive or communication deficits.

Tune in tomorrow for our final installment in this three-part discussion about toileting troubles.

NOTE TO READERS AND LISTENERS: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. Feel free to send me a confidential email at talk@FAQautism.com with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. And don’t forget to check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. http://FAQautism.com

Automatically generated related posts:

1. Toileting Troubles 3 Once we have pinpointed the specific factors contributing to toilet...
2. Toileting Troubles 1 In spite of patient and consistent attempts, our best efforts...
3. Toileting Not a very polite topic, but more and more teens...
4. Holiday Toilet Training This may seem like an indelicate topic just days before...
5. Resisting Toilet Training As toddlers and young children grow into teens and young...