DS (4) is autistic but verbal and very intelligent (he probably would’ve been diagnosed with Asperger’s 10 years ago). He’s independent in many ways except when it comes to toileting. We’ve tried everything including putting pants on him. He wet his pants and when we asked him why he didn’t use the toilet, he told us it was because he wasn’t finished drawing. He withholds his poo and when it does come out it’s horrendous and he has no control. Pants are out the question when we’re out and about. We’re at the end of our tether. A nursery nurse tried to help us to no avail.
I’ve gone in hard now. I’ve told him he doesn’t get to watch YouTube or play games on his tablet until he sits on the toilet at least three times a day. I feel kinda bad because there are sensory games that regulate him when he’s anxious and I’m using them as bargaining chips. He refused to let school change his pull up the other day and came home soggy and dirty with skid marks in his nappy. It’s a battle to get his bum clean with wet wipes. I’ve actually looked up ABA techniques regarding toileting and I’m going to ask the school to implement them.
I know it’s a controversial method within the autistic community but professionals have been useless!