Potty Training but not talking

[Applesandpears58]

My DS is 2 years and 8 months, but still not talking (a discussion for another day). I had in my head that we would start potty training when he can talk so he can tell me when he needs to go to the toilet. We saw the health visitor last week, and she said I understand where you're coming from, but wouldn't hurt to give it a go anyway.
We encourage him to go to potty before bed and bath already, and he has done wees and poos in the potty, so understands what it's for etc. I feel that he is ready or certainly close to being ready.
Has any one successfully potty trained their child without them being able to talk? How did they tell you they needed to go? Was it a success?

[MyLemonBee]

I have a few mates with non verbal kids (autism in their cases, not yours) and they have managed it so must be possible x

[Revengeofthepangolins]

Do you sign with him?

[Applesandpears58]

@Revengeofthepangolins

Do you sign with him?

No, I haven't tried that, but good suggestion. Thanks. Do you recommend any books/websites that maybe able to help?

[Muteswan]

Not me but my friend potty trained her DS when he didn't have any words and it worked like a dream, much better than it has for my very verbal DD! Think they mostly left the potty accessible so he could take himself but also he was very good at expressing himself non-verbally through leading his mum by the hand/gestures. Good luck!

[Dinosaursdontgrowontrees]

Yep I potty trained my non verbal (autistic) daughter at 2 and a half. As a previous poster said I would teach him to sign potty wee, poo. (you can get these signs on line and use them constantly when you change him or if he sits on the potty he should start to pick up the signs pretty quickly if you are consistent.)
That said I think at 2 y 8m there is no rush you still have plenty of time if you wanted to leave it a few months until the weather is warmer and maybe he might be talking a little more?

[Marjoriehere]

Hi, yes two of my children were late talkers and potty trained before they could speak.
We went with a 'psssss' sound for wee and when they showed signs of needing a poo (holding themselves etc) we would just say time to try for a poo. Lots of stickers and praise everytime they tried, and a kinder egg for a successful day!
My eldest didn't speak until 4, he is currently at university he never stops talking now! Good luck! Xx

[Bobbybobbins]

You could also use a card with a symbol of the toilet on for your child to use when they need to go.

[Applesandpears58]

@Marjoriehere

Hi, yes two of my children were late talkers and potty trained before they could speak.
We went with a 'psssss' sound for wee and when they showed signs of needing a poo (holding themselves etc) we would just say time to try for a poo. Lots of stickers and praise everytime they tried, and a kinder egg for a successful day!
My eldest didn't speak until 4, he is currently at university he never stops talking now! Good luck! Xx

Thank you for your reply. I keep telling myself he’ll talk when he’s ready, but hard not to get disheartened and disappointed when you see other kids his age or younger talking so well. Great to hear your late talkers are doing so well. I’m sure when he talks I’ll think what was all the fuss about, in adult life we never discuss when we all started talking, but everyone talks.

[Itsacruelsummer]

How did it go OP? My DS is a similar age and also not talking. I thought I'd be waiting until the summer when he was hopefully talking but he's started clutching at himself and gesturing to me when he's going to wee. He was quite happy to sit on the potty when I showed it to him so wondering if I should start?

[Applesandpears58]

@Itsacruelsummer

How did it go OP? My DS is a similar age and also not talking. I thought I'd be waiting until the summer when he was hopefully talking but he's started clutching at himself and gesturing to me when he's going to wee. He was quite happy to sit on the potty when I showed it to him so wondering if I should start?

We tried last weekend with no nappy at all, and tried to explain to pee we go on potty. It did not go well. We had lots of tantrums for various things, and refused to sit on the potty. He was back in nappies by lunch time.
we’re still encouraging potty use at nappy changes and before bed etc and he will go, but I think we’ll wait until the weather gets better before we try the no nappies again, so he can go outside with no nappy.