logo
episode-header-image
May 2024
21m 10s

Toilet Training

Shira Karpel & Shayna Gaunt
About this episode

Toilet training is one of the most important skills we can teach our learners. When it comes to our learners with special needs or autism, it means we can promote their dignity. We feel strongly that toilet training should be introduced as soon as a child is ready. Here, we talk about prerequisite skills, intrinsic motivation, and how to build momentum before starting the training.

Priming is essential as well and we discuss how to make the toilet a familiar, positive place. We talk about using a time interval approach to toilet training, choosing a powerful reinforcer and getting parent buy-in, and how to use visuals. We also discuss how to handle when a child has an accident and some common toilet training mistakes.

What’s Inside:

  • How to know when a child is ready for toilet training
  • How to use a time interval approach 
  • Common toilet training mistakes

Mentioned In This Episode:
HowToABA.com/join
How to ABA on YouTube
Find us on Facebook
Follow us on Instagram
Toilet Training Tip Sheet

Up next
Oct 7
Reassessments and Progress Monitoring: When and How to Reevaluate
Reassessments often sneak up on us, and it can feel like just another box to check. But when used well, they are one of the most powerful tools we have to make sure our programming is meaningful and effective. In this conversation, we explore how progress monitoring and reassessm ... Show More
16m 30s
Sep 30
Burnout Isn’t Inevitable: How Compassion Protects the Helper
What does it mean when the work you love starts leaving you drained or detached? That’s the reality of burnout, and in the field of ABA, it’s more common than we think. In this conversation, we look at how self-compassion can be one of the strongest defenses against burnout and w ... Show More
14m 56s
Sep 23
ESDM in Action: Embedding Goals in Daily Routines and Play
What does it look like to take developmental goals off the page and bring them to life during play, snack time, or cleanup? That’s the beauty of the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM). In this conversation, we explore how natural routines create powerful learning opportunities witho ... Show More
20m 7s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2023
Why Toddlers Don't Need Toilet Training
Today, we’re diving into a hot topic, potty training! More specifically, we're chatting about why traditional potty training is totally outdated, and your toddler doesn't need it. I mean, come on, who has the time and patience for that anyway? Traditional toilet training is all a ... Show More
9m 3s
Mar 2023
Navigating Potty Training Problems
As a parent, you will be pleased to learn that pooping issues are pretty common during potty training! Toddlers have a short attention span and buzz quickly from one activity to the next. They tend to use the potty much the same, so they sometimes don't sit there as long as they ... Show More
14m 41s
Oct 2023
62. Reviewing your First Day of Potty Training
Let’s go over the important points of day one of potty training. This first day isn’t about judging success or failure. It’s about learning your child’s pee signal (or pee dance) and their pee pattern. It’s data collection and lots of learning. You have to avoid being emotional a ... Show More
24m 52s
Oct 2021
018 - تعلم استعمال الحمام | Toilet Learning
‏بحلقة اليوم سنتحدث عن مرحلة تعلم الأطفال استعمال الحمام وكيف نتخلص من الحفاض بطريقة لا نؤذي فيها أطفالنا نفسيا.تعلم استخدام الحمام مرحلة نمو طبيعية عند الطفل، فنحن لا ندربهم على كيفية استخدام الحمام بل ندعمهم عندما يكونوا جاهزين. وتبدأ هذه المرحلة عندما يرغب الطفل في أن يكبر ويص ... Show More
27m 29s
Jul 2023
56. Time For Potty Training!
Today, we’ll literally be talking about time; giving your child TIME to learn this milestone. I’m in a bit of red alarm panic based on the information I’m getting from parents contacting me. Parents are in a panic because they’re waiting till they’re a week away from school to po ... Show More
23m 50s
Feb 2023
Happy Tushies: How to Manage Poop Problems During Potty Training
Would it surprise you to learn that pooping problems often prevail during the potty training process? Toddlers love routines and rituals, so changing them could upset your child and cause problems. When a child who pooped perfectly well in a diaper starts experiencing problems wh ... Show More
13m 40s
Jul 2023
Potty Learning Vs Potty Training: What's the Difference?
Picture this: Mom sees two and a half year old Johnny squirming and doing the I need to go pee dance. So she tells him to go sit on the potty. Johnny ignores his mom and a minute later he pees in his pants. Needless to say, Johnny's mom was irritated. Does this sound at all famil ... Show More
8m 20s
May 2023
52. The Five Essentials You Need For Potty Training
Omg, there are so many products associated with potty training! But really… what do you actually need? Today, we’ll talk about the the items I believe you can not live without when potty training. And then talk about a few things you might want but aren’t necessary—and the absolu ... Show More
19m 55s
Sep 2023
60. Potty Training Independence and When Your Potty Training Timing Is Off
Today, let’s revisit ways to help autonomy and independence; particularly a few weeks into potty training when you’re not seeing much self initiation. We’ll also pull apart a few scenarios that are common if potty training didn’t go as planned and you have a big event planned. An ... Show More
20m 16s