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Real members of MyAutismTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.
A MyAutismTeam Member asked a question 💭
Maple Heights, OH

My son is 4 years and he is,still not potty trained. He will pee in the toilet but only when we take him every 2 hrs but he won't tell us when he has to go. He just started doing bowel movements in the toilet but its not consistent and only when a reward is offered. Any suggestions. Also need to know where i can get pullups for him as he is b outgrowing 4t-5t ones. I don'twant to buy anymore pullups but I don't know what else to do. Please help.

December 26, 2015
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Answer Summary

Members rallied around a parent struggling with potty training their 4-year-old son who was not yet independently using the toilet, reassuring... Read more

Members rallied around a parent struggling with potty training their 4-year-old son who was not yet independently using the toilet, reassuring them that consistency with the 2-hour routine is the right approach and that many children with special needs take longer to recognize body signals and communicate their needs. Several members shared practical strategies including using timers or picture schedules, switching to GoodNites or larger pull-ups available at Dollar General and Walmart, offering rewards and encouragement without pressure, and dedicating focused training time during school breaks to help children make the connection between the urge and the toilet. A recurring theme was patience and celebrating small victories, with many parents emphasizing that their own children took until age 5 or older to fully train, and that reducing parental anxiety helps children feel safe enough to learn at their own pace.

A MyAutismTeam Member

Well my friend you are doing the correct thing by having him go every 2 hrs to urinate because it becomes routine but I also implemented having my son to do his number 2 after an hour after he eats or if he hasn't eaten I let him do it 30 mins after his 2 hour pee pee, he's still going to wait until you tell him but eventually he'll start doing it on his own just have patience because my son didn't start talking until after Christmas of last year, now for as the pull-ups, I don't know if your town has a Dollar General or even a Family Dollar but until my son was off of pull-ups these stores had 6ts that goes from 40 to 80 pounds and some goes to 100 pounds, I hope this was helpful

December 26, 2015
A MyAutismTeam Member

Hello,
My experience is that during one school break (a 1 week break). I put my son in underwear and pretty much watched and monitored him with going to the potty. I would suggest the potty every 45 min. to an hour. I would look at him and pay attention to when he would grab towards his privates or if he looked like he was going to go in his pants-then I would consistently direct him to the potty until he understood the connection. Also, I would cheer and reward him for making that connection and going. He caught on and eventually got it that week. I would like to mention that I first taught him to potty sitting and just this school break (a 2 week winter break and about 4-6 mnths later) I finally had the time to teach him to stand and aim (he caught on immediately with a very straight aim). I would also like to add that he was 5 yrs. of age when he learned. Also (just a suggestion) try to train him when you have the time to be patient, if he miss it and go to the restroom in his undies, just remain patient and keep redirecting him-only rewarding when he actually potty inside the potty whether it's just a little bit or a lot. If a child sense any impatience this can give them anxiety and put a monkey wrench in the whole attempt to train them. Good luck, I think that he will get it:)

January 1, 2016 (edited)
A MyAutismTeam Member

My daughter is 4.5 and isn't fully potty trained either, you are not alone!

December 30, 2015
A MyAutismTeam Member

I think you are doing great by taking your son to the bathroom every 2 hours. It will come, our son was pretty close to 5 before he could tell us the urge was there to go to the bathroom.Keep up what you are doing,stay consistant with the pattern you are doing,all of a sudden it will just happen.

December 28, 2015
A MyAutismTeam Member

See he's already learning.

December 28, 2015

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