Toileting differences are common in autistic children.
There may be anxiety or fear of using the toilet. Constipation, withholding, soiling or smearing.
They may go to the toilet in socially inappropriate places. It may be difficulty in using different toilets eg when being outside of the home. They may not be able to control wetting during the day and/or overnight.
Autistic children may not recognise that their bowel or bladder is full.
The sensory environment of the toilet and of going to the toilet may cause discomfort.
See the attached articles below for more information.
What do we need to think about?
- The language that we are going to use about going to the toilet.
- Getting used to bathrooms and toilets
- Clothing
- Timing
- Add going to the toilet to routines/visual schedules
- Make sure they are having a regular intake of fluids during the day
- Consider sensory differences for your child and the environment.
- Positive experiences
- Making it fun!
- ERIC have recently produced the following information on the link between sensory processing differences and toileting https://www.eric.org.uk/sensory-needs-and-toileting?fbclid=iwar1u5ocycxuwbumewn-jh1bohrwrc-uancmmybrhpqkqgt5jsncrtcuf3le
Other sources of support
- Toilet training and the Autism Spectrum- available at www.jkp.com
- ERIC www.eric.org.uk