Potty training can be stressful, especially for children with sensory integration disorder or autism. Don't worry -- you're not the first parent to begin to panic if your child is not potty trained at the ripe old age of 3.

Here are a few pointers, along with love and patience, to help make your child King of the Throne:

  1. Sensory Prep: Some kids will be happy leaving their diapers behind, particularly sensory under- responders (children who are less responsive to sensory information). But sensory over responders (hyper sensitive) or sensory seekers may “freak out." Take a scrub brush or washcloth and rub their bottoms during and in-between diaper changes. Keep the diaper off longer and longer during changes. Sing a song or read a story to distract your child while the diaper is off.
  2. Reading: While your child sits on the toilet or potty chair, read a potty book.  Clothes can be left on, using the potty as a reading spot until your child is comfortable.
  3. Fen Shui: Make your bathroom a nice place to hang out. If you have a child who won’t go into the bathroom, find out why. Too bright? Dim the lights or use a small lamp. Too loud from flushing water? Play soft music.  Hang pictures of fish or waterfalls to hone in on the water experience.
  4. Routine: Establish a water routine that includes hygiene. Use a vision board with stickers that show flushing, wiping, washing hands, and drying hands so your child knows the steps involved.
  5. Stickers: Reward, reward, reward. Give stickers, small toys or whatever you need to reward even the smallest success (going into the bathroom, sitting on the toilet, pulling pants down, aiming properly, washing hands, etc.)
  6. Cheers: Become the potty fan club!
  7. Clue Everyone In: Let family members and teachers know that you are working on potty training so they can help out too!
  8. Group Therapy: This works better with boys, but have a “pee party.” Dad, brother and the trainee can all go for the gold medal in longest pee time.
  9. On the Road: Travel with your portable potty chair when you're away from home.
  10. Nighttime Prep: Ready for nighttime training? Hold off on liquids and try waking your child up (for a couple weeks) before you head off to bed yourself. You can also try a potty alarm, which can be very effective.

Before you know it, you will be diaper-free and ready to train on the next task at hand! If you have any potty-training tips, please share them with us! Reach out to us at social@funandfunction.com or share on our social media!

Explore our selection of calming toys and tools for toddlers, specifically designed to promote relaxation and support sensory development in young children.