Signs Your Special Needs Child Is Ready to Potty Train
5 min read
For a child with a developmental delay, autism, or another disability, there is no age that says it is time. Readiness is about skills. Here are the ones experts watch for, and it is fine if they show up later than the toddler years.
The readiness signs
Look for several of these together, drawn from the Association for Science in Autism Treatment and SPARK for Autism:
- Stays dry for one to two hours, or can hold urine for at least an hour
- Can sit on the toilet for about three minutes
- Follows a simple direction like "sit down" at least some of the time
- Understands that following a step earns a reward
- Shows interest in the bathroom, or pulls at a wet or soiled diaper
- Is not currently dealing with constipation or diarrhea
Before you start
Clear the medical part first. Constipation and other GI issues are common and can stall everything, so talk with your pediatrician before you begin. Then use a structured, consistent plan with clear rewards, and add visual and sensory supports as needed.
It often comes later, and that is normal
Kids on the spectrum typically train later than other children, and it can take a year and a half or more. That is your child's normal. For the full method, team, and military EFMP guidance, read our complete guide to potty training a special needs child.
Sources
Association for Science in Autism Treatment: https://asatonline.org/research-treatment/clinical-corner/toilet-training/
SPARK for Autism: https://sparkforautism.org/discover_article/toilet-training-autism/
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