ASD DS and his TOILET PHOBIA - advice needed please!

[SammyK]

DS is toilet phobic his fear is of falling in when sitting on toilet, and I think he also dislikes sensory aspects too (cold, smells, sounds, etc). He is 4y3m, in 5-6y clothes, has some development delays (motor skills and social/communication skills).

We have a visual timetable and reward chart which we implemented in July 09, and he is now confident to sit on a kids toilet seat (only one type) to wee.

However, this toilet seat is too small and he will never be able to poo comfortably on it so i need to get rid, and encourage him to sit on toilet without it, but he just absolutely freaks out if I suggest he sits without it and I don't want to push him back IYKWIM.

What can I do?????

Are there any good books on the subject, or has anyone succeeded with this challenge?
I am so sick of changing pooey pants.

That should say 08 not 09

I am walking to my mums and back across town to pick up a piece of paper will be back on mn later.

www.diytools.co.uk/diy/Main/sp-2-6853-36663-multi-toilet-seat-ideal-for-children-(white).asp

Have you seen that sort of seat? If he's willing to try, and the budget would stretch to something like that, I'd get round the freezing coldness of it by using some sort of paper cover, and let him take something comforting into the loo with him. Also, is there a wall nearby on which you could put a grab handle so he can hold that and feel safer, or something he can rest his feet firmly on so it feels less like a balancing act? You can get grab handles from argos or other similar stores for about £6 I think so they're not a lot of money.

I know how he feels

Hi thanks for replying amber I gotback from my mums yesterday and fell asleep on the sofa! It's nice to see you still on here, not sure what's happening to MN recently, I am sticking to childcare and special needs as I don't need the upset.

That seat looks great never seen one before, trouble is I know he would want to use the kids size as it's similar to what he is using now, and he is HUGE for it, no way he can sit on it and poo if that makes sense.

Like the idea of grab rails on the wall, think he would like that, we use a step for his seat so I guess I am on the right track.

I changed pooey pants 4 times yesterday, it's really getting me down.

Thanks again for helping amber.

sammy I have considered getting one of those family seats... had a look at them in b&q recently.

my ds uses the loo for stand up peeing and is still using a potty for poo - this is a very recent achievement, since xmas, he is not confident about sitting on the loo (he will be five in a few months), is in age 5-6 clothes... but I think he would be comfortable on the family seat, even my dd who is 7 could probably use it.

it is a struggle, maybe someone else will have some other suggestions...

There's a mum on here with a similar child (hobia wise)- hope she's about.

DS3 (also ASD, 5.5 years) has stuck on a potty and won't go to toilet; PITA regarding cleaning (harder work then a nappy tbh) but it's at elast closer to the 'norm'.

As wella s Ambers great idea- B&Q etc do ots of 'novelty' seats; cool no, but iof he could choose it would he use it? I know DS1 (as / HFA) responds to that sort of thing better than any reward chart.

Never thought of somehwere like B+Q, maybe he would be okay on it? Anything is worth a shot! {desperate} I think I will go and weigh them up with ds, see what he thinks of them.