Potty Training Children With Autism
It's been quite some time since I've been posting on the pottytrainingsite blog. Mainly, it is due to spending a lot of time traveling and at The TEAM Centers, Inc. in nearby Chattanooga, TN. This center assists families, children and adults with behavioral and developmental disorders. They specialize in Autism, helping families in Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina and Alabama.
Recently, my middle child whom I had the greatest challenge/struggles with potty training, was diagnosed as having PDD or Pervasive Development Disorder. PDD is on the Autism Spectrum.
I have always been one to emphasize to parents who are potty training or experiencing challenges that having a schedule is so important. For Autistic children this is imperative that a schedule be set whether or not you are potty training.
Allow your child to be a part of their daily schedule. Use pictures, stickers, markers or magnets to make it child "friendly." Having structure day to day will help make things smoother not only for your child but yourself as well as the rest of the family.
Potty training does not have to be a difficult challenge. Be creative and always include your child. Include activities that they enjoy doing. Utilizing things in your child's life that grabs their attention can help motivate them when it comes to potty training.
Children with Autism must be accepted for who they are. As a specialist reminded me, children with a disorder on the Autism spectrum cannot be changed. They are who they are and parents as well as teachers and others involved in their lives have be creative, working with the child to build a successful connection.
So many times others attempt to change a child with Autism. Majority of the time that backfires leading to frustration, anger, resentment, and even guilt. It does not have to be that way.
Potty training a child with special needs such as Autism can become a breakthrough and way to bond with that child.
Jennifer
Pottytrainingsite.com
Bookmarkz
Recently, my middle child whom I had the greatest challenge/struggles with potty training, was diagnosed as having PDD or Pervasive Development Disorder. PDD is on the Autism Spectrum.
I have always been one to emphasize to parents who are potty training or experiencing challenges that having a schedule is so important. For Autistic children this is imperative that a schedule be set whether or not you are potty training.
Allow your child to be a part of their daily schedule. Use pictures, stickers, markers or magnets to make it child "friendly." Having structure day to day will help make things smoother not only for your child but yourself as well as the rest of the family.
Potty training does not have to be a difficult challenge. Be creative and always include your child. Include activities that they enjoy doing. Utilizing things in your child's life that grabs their attention can help motivate them when it comes to potty training.
Children with Autism must be accepted for who they are. As a specialist reminded me, children with a disorder on the Autism spectrum cannot be changed. They are who they are and parents as well as teachers and others involved in their lives have be creative, working with the child to build a successful connection.
So many times others attempt to change a child with Autism. Majority of the time that backfires leading to frustration, anger, resentment, and even guilt. It does not have to be that way.
Potty training a child with special needs such as Autism can become a breakthrough and way to bond with that child.
Jennifer
Pottytrainingsite.com
Labels: autism, autistic children, potty special needs, potty trained, potty training
Bookmarkz
posted by Jennifer Bryan @ 8:45 AM
1 Comments:
At 5:15 PM,
KJ said…
I potty trained my son, who is Autistic when he was showing signs of being interested. It was definately a lot later than most of my friends (who had children the same age) but that didn't worry me.
I used a reward chart system - My Big Star Chart - it was a fantastic visual reinforcement. It took a while, but he loved getting the stars and 'greatjob' stickers. It was very encouraging to see him progress into 'bigboy pants'!!
Post a Comment
<< Home