Toilet training and autism

[Holymolymackerel]

Hi all,
Just a quick question. My ds5 in year 1 new mainstream school want him to wear pull ups instead of a nappy and vest with poppers and take him for a wee hourly as he has shown he can sometimes wee 'on command'. He never asks for a wee. Do I agree to this plan? Teacher said she wants to normalise him?!?.
My concerns are :
He will have access to the contents (including his bits) of a pull up.
He may become stressed about it. Any anxiety always affects the poo side as he is on laxatives due to with holding (often goes in the bath or sleep).
He wont get use to the sensation of a full bladder.
Any advice please?

If he will expose himself. Play with himself or the contents of the nappy then it's not a good idea to take the vest away.
What is his level of understanding. Would he benefit from a visual strip to show him what to do.
I think every hour is excessive but getting him toilet ready is a good idea. Maybe when changing him put him on the loo. Taking him to the loo twenty minutes after lunch.
It all depends on his understanding and his readiness. It's pointless if he isn't ready. It could make the situation worse.
If he withholds poo then it sounds like he doesn't like the sensation and so you need to go carefully so not to make the sensory issue worse.
I think you are the only one who knows your child and if it's a good idea.

Does he have a TA that's one to one with him?

Do you have a medical professional you could speak to about it with expertise in autism?

Also, totally non related. Where do you buy popper vests in that size?

He has a one to one for some of the time but not full time.

He has no concept of needing to go but to please he tries to wee on command. We see his paediatrician every 6 months due in May.

I honestly think it makes things worse for him, his anxiety increases and he is less receptive to 'education'.

His last school insisted on pull ups and there was a playground poo smearing incident during playtime.

I just think people think a child in nappies in year 1 equals lazy parenting.

They are available online at Mark's and Spencer, click on kids at the top then specialist clothes from the list down the side. They do up to 16 years of age.

They have been a godsend for us.

You probably find through your GP or health visitor you can access a continence nurse and they will be really well versed in helping with toilet training, I would ask to be referred to them and get a plan from there because whilst I can see the teacher probably wants the best for him, the way to do this might be best advised by a health professional.