Chapter 1: The Importance of Toilet Training

• Characteristics of autism that influence toilet training
• Impact on home, family and community
• Impact on school and learning
• Impact on social relationships

Chapter 2: Determining Readiness

• Chronological age as a factor
• The issue of mental age as a part of readiness
• Awareness levels in readiness
• Physiological factors to consider
• Other readiness indicators

Chapter 3: Developing a Toileting Routine

• Developing toileting schedules
• Communication structures
• Pre- and post-toileting rituals
• Fluid intake
• Undressing and dressing
• Flushing
• Handwashing

Chapter 4: Dressing for the Occasion

• Diapers or underpants
• Outerwear
• Other items and equipment needed
• Sensory issues related to clothing and other items used

Chapter 5: Habit Training

• When is habit training the appropriate option
• Determining a reasonable schedule
• Developing a routine
• Readiness for spontaneous toileting

Chapter 6: Teaching Continence

• Bladder control
• Bowel control

Chapter 7: Communicating the Need to Use the Toilet

• Alternate forms of communication
• Availability of communication
• How to respond to communication efforts
• When communication demands are a step backward

Chapter 8: When Toilet Training is Successful

• When to reinforce
• How to reinforce
• The importance of environmental structure

Chapter 9: Toileting in Unfamiliar Environments

• Locating restroom in new environments
• Communicating the need to toilet
• Adjusting toileting routines to new situations
• Survival kits for community outings

Chapter 10: Nighttime Training

• When to begin nighttime training
• How to teach nighttime continence
• Special aids

Chapter 11: Support Strategies

• Modeling Stories that teach
• Preteaching

Chapter 12: Common Problems (and Solutions) Associated with Toilet Training Persons with Autism

• Fear of the bathroom
• Fear of the toilet
• Repeated flushing
• Negative reactions to taking away diapers
• Failure to void in the toilet
• Failure to have a bowel movement in the toilet
• Urinating outside of the toilet bowl
• Smearing feces
• Resistance to using toilet paper
• Using too much toilet paper
• Resistance to washing hands
• Needs frequent cues to complete routines
• Resistance to using unfamiliar toileting facilities
• Is toilet trained at home, but not at school
• Is toilet trained at school, but not at home
• Regression or setbacks
• Data collection form for toilet training
• An example social story-Using the Toilet

Glossary

Resources