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Getting started

Read our general Parenting in Pictures guide to toilet training.

Have a look at our general Parenting in Pictures guide to toilet training for useful tips.

Familiarise your child with using the toilet.

Think of toilet training as a series of small goals. Start by getting your child familiar with the toilet, what it’s for and how to use it.

Teach skills step by step.

Keep in mind that going to the toilet is a complex task. It helps to break down skills into small parts, then teach them step by step.

Useful strategies

Use rewards.

As your child learns each step of using the toilet, encourage him with rewards. Try different rewards and use the ones your child likes best.

Use visual aids to reinforce the routine.

A Social Story™ or visual schedule can reinforce the toileting routine. Stick the schedule on a wall near the toilet. Download and print our toileting visual aid.

Go over the schedule 2-3 times daily.

Go over the schedule or social story with your child 2-3 times a day. Share these aids with anyone who does toileting with your child, such as teachers.

Tips for toileting challenges

Consider skipping the potty stage.

Consider skipping the potty stage if your child has difficulty with change. Going straight to using the toilet limits the number of changes during toilet training.

Try to control his sensory experience.

If your child is upset by the sensory aspects of going to the toilet, try to control his sensory experience. Explain that there will be a noisy flushing sound and say why.

There may be extra challenges when toilet training.

There might be extra challenges when toilet training your child with ASD – continually flushing the toilet, stuffing it with paper, or refusing to poo. The people working with your child might be able to help.

Download printable version

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Raising Children Network is supported by the Australian Government. Member organisations are the Parenting Research Centre and the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute with The Royal Children’s Hospital Centre for Community Child Health.

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  • Murdoch Children's Research Institute

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