Toilet Training and the Autism Spectrum (ASD)

Book excerpt: This practical guide equips practitioners to support families and carers in developing effective toilet training programmes and provide continued help with analysing and addressing problems that occur. With appropriate intervention and persistence most children on the autism spectrum can be toilet trained, however difficult it may sometimes seem at first. Eve Fleming and Lorraine MacAlister are specialists on continence problems in autism and have packed their expertise into this accessible guide. Focusing on the 3 'Ps' - preparation, practicalities and problem-solving - they offer a step-by-step process tailored for children with autism, which includes strategies for managing behavioural issues, approaches to address sensory sensitivities and advice on overcoming specific bowel and bladder difficulties. It also has an invaluable chapter on approaching toilet training with children with PDA. This book will give early years practitioners, special education teachers, paediatric and school nurses, health visitors and other frontline professionals the knowledge and skills to support children with autism spectrum disorder and their families with toilet training.