Night-time toilet training for autistic 6 year old

[Eulalia]

Have posted this on potty training thread also.

He is 6.8 and probably about the size of a 7 year old. At the moment I put him in two nappies at night as one isn't absorbant enought. Have been using Lidl nappies as they are cheap and have quite wide straps. However am strugging as the straps just aren't long enough and often break as I am putting them on. Obviously I want to train him but probably going to leave it till the warmer weather so in the short term am looking for advice for where to get large enough nappies to fit. The trainer pant things are useless as they aren't absorbant enough and leak down the sides.

Next stage - starting training. He said he would like a potty in his room. We don't have a toilet upstairs (due to house renovations) and the nearest toilet involves a long walk. Again the problem is finding a potty that is big enough for him. Problem also being a boy is that he stands up to wee. I can get him to sit down though but needs a wide bowl so he doesn't miss/spill - any suggestions? Actually looked at commodes on eBay but they are too big! (can't win!) Problem being he tends to drink a lot in the evening ... not sure how to tackle that one! I know he could be dry as we went out Sat night and he hardly drank anything and went to bed late and was dry in the morning.

Finally (sorry for long post). Any tips on how to help with dryness. He will be referred to enuresis clinic when he turns 7 anyway.

[twokids]

you should be able to get free nappies. Also can you not as the ss services ot for some advice.

[Eulalia]

Have had social work assessment but I didn't really discuss his toiletting. I get DLA to cover the costs of nappies/bedding etc. The health visitor said she could provide advice and an alarm type thing if it comes to that. I don't think I'll get free nappies till he is 7 but I could be wrong. Just looking for general advice in the meantime. thanks!

[milward]

bumping this up for you - hope you get some answers.

[onlyjoking9329]

have you tried a camping toilet for his room, my DD's have one, they have autism and my years of telling them they are not to come out of there bedroom has been taken literally so they won't come down in the night for the loo
my kids got free nappies from aged 3, thou i think they don't always give nappies if its just for night time use. you could try a local health care shop, we got disposable bed sheets there and they do nappies up to adult size.

[milward]

for the evening mumsnetters....

[Eulalia]

thanks milward.

Camping toilet sounds an idea.

Have been surfing various disability healthcare sites and found some bed mats and also pants which I could put on over the disposable nappy. Last night he took off his nappies because they were falling off and of course the bed was soaking. I have a mattress protector but it takes ages to dry. At least with the bed mats they are smaller and quicker to dry.

I think the referral to the clinic can be done through the HV. I know he is still young but I am really getting fed up with this. Not making an issue out of it though. I should sympathise as I was a bed wetter on and off till about age 8.