An Example Toilet Training Plan for Children with Autism 📝

I remember toilet training a child in a preschool setting who was the only one not yet toilet trained. Somehow, even the smallest bite of an orange 🍊could somehow turn into a flood of accidents💦, and I’d go home every day smelling like pee 🚽 after scrubbing nap mats, rugs, and tiny preschool chairs. But we stuck to the plan, and that child is now spending most of their day in a general education classroom! 🎉 While I may not be in your shoes, I know toilet training is tough—I’ve cleaned couches 🛋️, car seats 🚗, and everything in between.

Toilet training is a journey, and having a structured, compassionate plan makes all the difference! 💙 Every child learns at their own pace, but with clear expectations, positive reinforcement, and consistency, we can help children gain confidence and independence in toileting.

Goal: What Are We Working Toward? 🎯

Toilet training isn’t just one big step—it’s a series of smaller milestones. The first goal is simple: Voiding (peeing) in the potty.

💡 Why start here? If your child is already struggling to sit on the toilet, adding extra steps like pulling up pants, flushing, and handwashing can make the process feel overwhelming and even aversive. We want success first, then build on it.

Toilet Training Goals Progress in Phases 🔢

1️⃣ Voiding in the Toilet – The first step is getting comfortable peeing 💦 in the toilet. That’s our priority!

2️⃣ Building the Full Bathroom Routine – Once the child is successfully voiding, we start working on pulling up pants, flushing, and washing hands. 🧼

3️⃣ Initiating the Bathroom Process – When the child can go independently, we shift the focus to teaching them to recognize when they need to go and request the bathroom using words, signs, or AAC. 💬

By breaking it down, we set children up for success and reduce frustration. Each step builds on the next!

Antecedent Strategies: Setting Up for Success 🛠️

Before we even get to the toilet, we set the stage for success!

• Increase Fluids:
  Encourage drinking water every 5-10 minutes to provide more opportunities for practice. (Tip: Carry a fun water bottle to make this part of the routine!)

• Withhold Preferred Rewards for Motivation:
  Special items (like gummy bears 🧸 or favorite toys) are earned only after successful toilet trips.

• Priming & Previewing Expectations:
  Every 5 minutes, provide reminders like: "If you need to go potty, you can ask!" or "Remember, first we go to the bathroom, then we get our reward!"

• Use a Visual Schedule or Social Story: Help the child understand the steps of the routine before starting.

💙 Why it Matters: These strategies help increase awareness of their body, motivate participation, and reduce frustration by making expectations clear.

Procedure: The Toilet Training Routine 🧻

1️⃣ Start with Underwear & Pull-Up Combination

• Change the child into underwear first, with a pull-up over it to catch any accidents while still allowing them to feel wetness.

2️⃣ Scheduled Bathroom Trips Every 30 Minutes ⏳

• When the timer goes off, say “It’s time to go potty!” and transition to the bathroom.

• If the child says "no", ask, “Are you dry?”

  • If yes, prompt them to say “More time” or “Later.” ⏳

  • If no, check and say “Let’s go potty to change” (accident recorded).

3️⃣ Encourage Communication at the Bathroom Door 🚪

• Model requesting the bathroom using:

  • Verbal prompts: “Potty” or “I need to go to the bathroom.”

  • AAC device: Pressing a button or selecting the potty icon.

  • Sign language: Using ASL for “potty.”

4️⃣ Helping Them Through the Routine 👖🧼

Going to the bathroom is already hard—adding all the extra steps of pulling up pants, adjusting underwear, and handwashing can make it feel even more overwhelming. To reduce frustration and make the process easier:

• Help as much as needed at first so they don’t get stuck on these extra steps.

• Stand behind your child while assisting rather than in front—this way, they see their own hands pulling up pants or pushing the soap dispenser instead of watching you do it for them. This builds independence while still providing the support they need.

• If a child is averse to physical guidance, consider temporarily allowing baby wipes instead of handwashing to reduce the number of steps involved. Once toileting becomes easier, we can slowly introduce the full handwashing routine.

5️⃣ Sitting on the Toilet for 1 Minute ⏳

• Allow access to a preferred activity (like a short video or book) while sitting.

• Label their status:

  • If dry, praise them: “Way to go! You have dry underwear!” 🎉

  • If wet, neutrally say: “You’re wet. Remember, first we stay dry, then we get our rewards!”

6️⃣ Reinforce Dryness & Success 🌟

• If the child stayed dry, allow them to pick two rewards from their reward chart.

• If the child voided (peed) in the toilet, provide high verbal praise and an immediate reinforcer (e.g., “Yay! You peed in the potty! Here’s your gummy bear!”). 🎉

• If the child didn’t go, still praise their effort in a more moderate tone: “Great job sitting on the toilet!”

7️⃣ No Demands for 5 Minutes ⏳

• After a successful trip, reduce demands and allow the child to enjoy their reinforcer fully.

Handling Accidents with Compassion 💙

Accidents are part of the process! Here’s how to respond in a neutral and supportive way:

🚨 If an accident happens between trips:

• Say calmly, “You’re wet. Let’s go to the bathroom.”

• Guide the child to the toilet and continue with the routine.

• Prompt the child to help change their underwear/pants as independently as possible.

💙 Why it Matters: We don’t punish accidents—they are learning moments! Staying neutral prevents shame and helps the child feel safe in the process.

Fading Support & Increasing Independence 👏

As the child progresses, we slowly increase independence and reduce direct prompts.

• Extend time between bathroom trips – Start at 30 minutes, then increase to 45 minutes, 1 hour, etc.

• Encourage initiation – Instead of scheduled trips, wait for the child to request the bathroom using words, signs, or AAC.

• Transition to delayed reinforcement – Instead of an immediate reward, introduce sticker charts:

• “If I go 5 times, I get outside time!”

• “If I stay dry all week, I get a new iPad game!”

💡 Goal: Your child fully initiates toileting and can stay dry throughout the day without scheduled reminders.

Every Child’s Plan is Unique 🌟

Toilet training should be tailored to your child’s needs, comfort level, and pace. At Orchid, we customize every plan to ensure it works for your family.

💙 Want support in creating an individualized toileting plan? We’re happy to help! Set up a free consultation today or ask your BCBA for guidance.

📖 Missed our first blog post? Read about toilet training readiness here: https://www.orchidacademy.com/blog/-is-your-child-ready-for-toilet-training-a-compassionate-guide-for-families