Readiness Skills

This lesson will give you a starting point with reference point toileting. An abundance of information is a available in magazines, pediatricians’ offices, on TV, and from experienced parents about "readinesss" skills for toileting. Some of this is useful, but it is important to relate it to the issues and learning style of individuals with ASD. Identifying readiness skills in your child can also help you recognize that your child may already have some good skills, even though he or she seems years away from actually being toilet trained!

In general, most experts agree that toilet training should not begin before age 18 months. However, an individual's mental age should be considered as well. Children who have mental challenges should not have to "wait" until their mental age is more like a 3 or 4 year old before a toileting program is begun. It should also be understood that toilet training individuals with severe challenges will take more ingenuity and more trials. Toilet training should take priority by age 4. Habits continue to become firmly entrenched, especially in individuals with ASD. Going to the bathroom in a diaper continues to be reinforced as a habit the longer it continues.

Here are some indicators that your child's awareness of toileting needs are developing:

• She is staying dry for longer periods of time, sometimes even waking up dry from a nap or sleep at night.
• He is beginning to show some associative behaviors when urinating or having a bowel movement, such as crossing legs, "dancing," changing facial expression, going to a specific area to have a bowel movement or showing discomfort with wet/soiled pants. He may also bring a diaper to a parent when wet or soiled.
• She begins to show more interest and awareness in others who are toileting.
• He is participating in dressing, undressing, or handwashing tasks.
• The child's attention span is increasing; she may be able to sit for 5-10 minutes for activities

Children need not show all of the above indicators before proceeding with a toileting program. It is helpful to document behaviors and routines that denote some readiness skills.