Is my child ready for potty training?
Potty training is one of those parental rites of passage that parents and children often struggle with, and one that can be especially challenging for children with autism. However, if you do your homework and properly prepare, your child can be potty trained in no time!
Stage 1 of Potty Training: Is My Child Ready?
What age to potty train my child?
Recent research indicates that the ideal window for potty training falls between 27 and 32 months. Toddlers younger than 27 months may not be developmentally ready, while toddlers older than 32 months are more likely to resist.
Is my child physically ready for potty training?
Before attempting to potty train, make sure your child can do the following:
- Sit up by him/herself
- Walk
- Stay dry for a couple of hours at a time
- Imitate actions
- Recognize a full bladder
- Point to body parts that you name
- Retrieve objects for you
- Pull loose fitting underpants up and down
- Follow simple instructions, such as "put the doll on the potty"
If your child is unable to complete any of the above mentioned skills, take a step back from potty training and focus on teaching these missing skills first.
Can I potty train my child if he is sick?
If your child is sick, constipated, or in a generally uncooperative mood, it is recommended that you delay potty training until he is feeling better.
In our next post, we'll review how you can best prepare yourself, your family, and your child for potty training.