New and have a question

December 31, 2006

Hello Everyone,

I can't remember if I've introduced myself before, but I've been

lurking for a few months. My name is Jess and I'm an in-home autism

therapist in WI. I've worked with three children in our program who

have the dual diagnosis of Autism and Down Syndrome (and many more who

are simply ASD.)

I've been working with one of my little boys since September when he

entered our program. He's 7 years old, and has a great family who is

very involved.

The biggest issue our team is facing with him is potty training. He

has gone on the toilet about 4 times (twice for mom and dad years ago,

once at school, and once during therapy-we caught him going in the

shower.) He was immediately given ice cream (a highly desired item

which he does not get otherwise) as a reinforcer. We know that he

understands the link between going on the potty and earning ice cream,

he will walk into the BR and independently point to the visual we have

showing " first potty in toilet then ice cream. " He's also watched his

brother go potty int he toilet, and then receive ice cream to furhter

reinforce the concept.

The problem is that he will not go on the toilet. He is taken several

times a day to the BR, and while he's usually cooperative and

sits/stands at the toilet independently. However, for about the past

two weeks every time he is dry when he is taken to the bathroom, he

becomes upset and begins to cry, he refuses to go near the toilet

without total physical prompting, and also refuses to wash his hands.

I've discussed these problems with his parents, and we're thinking

that he wants to go, but he is not able to relax enough to do so

(hence why he has gone in the shower-he's relaxed and happy when he's

in there.)

I'm wondering if any of you might have any suggestions on what we can

do to help him relax when he's in the bathroom so he will be able to

go (we've tried reading, a portable dvd player, allowing him to be in

there by himself, etc)

Thank you so much for your help!

December 31, 2006

My suggestion with toileting is DROP IT FOR A MONTH. Lay off and then try

re-introduing with a potty chair OUTSIDE the bathroom. As to handwashing,

try using the gel or handwipes rather than the noise and rush of water.

Also, we dropped the standing/sitting sequence and only taught seated

toiletting as one less step to think about.

Sara - Choose to make lemonade, not complain about the lemons.

>

>Reply-To:

>To:

>Subject: New and have a question

>Date: Sun, 31 Dec 2006 22:05:53 -0000

>

>Hello Everyone,

>

>I can't remember if I've introduced myself before, but I've been

>lurking for a few months. My name is Jess and I'm an in-home autism

>therapist in WI. I've worked with three children in our program who

>have the dual diagnosis of Autism and Down Syndrome (and many more who

>are simply ASD.)

>

>I've been working with one of my little boys since September when he

>entered our program. He's 7 years old, and has a great family who is

>very involved.

>

>The biggest issue our team is facing with him is potty training. He

>has gone on the toilet about 4 times (twice for mom and dad years ago,

>once at school, and once during therapy-we caught him going in the

>shower.) He was immediately given ice cream (a highly desired item

>which he does not get otherwise) as a reinforcer. We know that he

>understands the link between going on the potty and earning ice cream,

>he will walk into the BR and independently point to the visual we have

>showing " first potty in toilet then ice cream. " He's also watched his

>brother go potty int he toilet, and then receive ice cream to furhter

>reinforce the concept.

>

>The problem is that he will not go on the toilet. He is taken several

>times a day to the BR, and while he's usually cooperative and

>sits/stands at the toilet independently. However, for about the past

>two weeks every time he is dry when he is taken to the bathroom, he

>becomes upset and begins to cry, he refuses to go near the toilet

>without total physical prompting, and also refuses to wash his hands.

>

>I've discussed these problems with his parents, and we're thinking

>that he wants to go, but he is not able to relax enough to do so

>(hence why he has gone in the shower-he's relaxed and happy when he's

>in there.)

>

>I'm wondering if any of you might have any suggestions on what we can

>do to help him relax when he's in the bathroom so he will be able to

>go (we've tried reading, a portable dvd player, allowing him to be in

>there by himself, etc)

>

>Thank you so much for your help!

>

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>

December 31, 2006

I found that having Jake stand was just too much to ask. I introduced bathroom

right before bath. I would take off all his clothes, sit him facing the toilet

tank straddling the seat, and then start the bath water. This helped get the

point across and he successfully peed in the potty and now does it pretty much

all the time.

Also, there is a new Elmo on the Potty DVD that Jake watches all the time. This

really helped more with handwashing, although now, he wants to wash his hands

all the time.

We still have yet to get the pooping in the potty going. He has only done that

3 times. We are really working on it though.

Good Luck!

Oh and Jake will be 8 in April.

Holly