A Motor & Sensory Based Approach to Potty Training

Let's take the stink out of potty training

You may have heard the phrase, “If you've met one autistic person, you've met one autistic person.” That phrase is even more true for potty training an autistic child. Every single child is unique and has unique needs that need to be addressed. Your child deserves better than a cookie cutter approaches that faila them because they aren't designed to support their specific needs.

My goal is to teach you the foundations of potty training so you learn how to support your child right now. We are taking a “this child at this moment” approach to potty training. You know your child best so as you navigate this resource I want you to consider if this will work for your child right now. Even great ideas and support may not work for them at this moment, but will be beneficial in the future. Our goal is to meet your child where they are right now and help give them the tools they need to learn how to use the toilet by learning, respecting and meeting their sensory, emotional and physical needs.

Disclaimers

Medical Disclaimer: This is a guide for informational purpose only. It is not an individual asessment geared towards you and your child's specfic needs, nor does it constitute a doctor-patient relationship. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem and those seeking personal advice should consult with a licensed physician. This guide does not guarantee results. As such, do not delay medical attention or disregard medical advice based on information in this guide. You also choose to utilize and take on the risks by doing the exercises with your child. This is completely at your own risk and I assume no responsibility for what you do with the information given to you.

Disclaimer to Change my Mind: As a lover of information and research, my hope is that in 5-10 years this guide is out-dated and NEEDS to be updated because we have more information. While I wholeheartedly believe this is the gold standard approach to motor and sensory based potty training RIGHT NOT, that information may change and when it does, I reserve the right to change my mind and the information in this guide based on new research.

Conflicting Information

As you look through this guide you may think, “this goes against xyz book” or “this isn't what I was told” and I will tell you that you are absolutely correct. Each author, myself included, teaches pottty training based on their knowledge and training, outlook on parenting and child development and how they choose to parent their children. This doesn't mean one way is 100% better than the other or that one approach is wrong…each approach will meet the needs of certain children and parents because it aligns with their values. My approach is based on pediatric motor development and takes a neuro-affirming approach that assumes kids do well when they can (a term coined by Ross Greene, the author The Explosive Child). I assume that your child isn’t being manipulative or choosing not to use the restroom. Instead, I believe that your child can't use the restroom YET and they need your support to figure out why.