I knew it would take a long time to potty train Jaylen. Boys usually take longer, and kids on the Autism spectrum take much longer. So we were dealing with a double whammy.
Two weeks ago Jaylen's teacher said that she thought he was ready. Her suggestion was to basically stop playing around and just do it. Put underwear under the Pull Up for the car ride to school, and then she would take it off and have him in just underwear while there. I felt ashamed that she was willing to take that step and be consistent with it at school when I was too lazy and inconsistent at home to really just pull the trigger.
We had been "dabbling" in potty training for almost a year. He showed interest way back then so we started him on sitting, coloring and reading on the potty. He got a treat for trying, but didn't really get the concept at all. He would sit on the potty, then stand up and pee on the carpet before I got the Pull Up on.
But about 2 weeks ago he understood, was using the potty a few times a day, and enjoying the M&M reward. But I said, we just weren't consistent. After the teacher suggested we go for it, we did. And he has been doing great! Just a few accidents here and there. But for the most part, he goes on the potty and is proud of himself. We have ridden in the car to and from school with just underwear for the past week because he hates having both on, which I took as a sign he was ready to go with just underwear. We haven't gone on a long outing with just underwear yet, I am too nervous. But we ran a few errands the other day and he was fine.
The only problem is going number 2. He refuses to do that on the potty. But people tell me that is pretty typical. Now he just poops in his underwear. I have had to toss a few pairs of Diego and Spiderman briefs this week. He gets M&Ms and puts a sticker on a chart every time he goes on the potty and I told him if he does number 2 he can put two stickers on. The reward is a trip to the toy store where he can pick anything. But he still won't have a BM on the potty. Oh well, in time I am sure.
Comments (2)
Josh was almost four before he was potty trained... but once he decided that he was done with diapers, he was done with diapers. That was the end of them. He didn't have any accidents until I tried to send him to preschool. That was a disaster and a half. So, I quit sending him... no more accidents. Preschool is NOT a requirement where I lived, nor is school until kids are eight years old. So, I kept him home until he was in first grade. He was already reading before he was even potty trained, so there was no worry about him academically... it was socially where he's run into some road blocks. He's 10 now, almost 11, and doing much better thanks to some really fantastic people who've come in along the way.
@keystspf@xanga - That is my son to a tee! reading but not potty trained. That about sums him up!