HELPFUL HINTS

• Pick a reinforcer that will only be used for toilet training and is highly preferred.  This reinforcer can only be used for toilet training and she should be denied access to this item at any other time.
• Take her to the bathroom immediately after waking up in the morning and immediately upon arrival to school and when she gets home.
• Have her wear underwear for the entire day until it is time for bed.  At bedtime she can wear a diaper or pull-up.
• In the car, if you feel the ride is too long, she can wear underwear with a pull-up on top.  The pull-up should be immediately removed when arriving at school or this community outing and after returning home from school or community.     
• Give her plenty of fluids.
• Take her to the bathroom approximately every hour.
• If she shows signs of having to go to the bathroom before a scheduled time, physically prompt her to the bathroom.
• Give her verbal praise and show excitement for all successes, “Nice sitting on the potty”, “Yeah, you went pee pee on the potty”
• Before going into the bathroom, provide her with presets, i.e. in 5 minutes it is time to go potty.
• Put her in pants that have elastic waistbands to promote independence.  When pulling her pants up or down have her help in the process.  She may require hand over hand or initial prompts to get her started.  Have her keep clothes on and push them down to mid-calf/ankle.
• Give her the reinforcer after sitting calmly on the toilet for 2 minutes or urinates.  * Remember- the first time she urinates on the toilet she then only receives the reinforcer for urinating on the toilet and not for just sitting.  A timer may be helpful. Verbally praise her for calm sitting.
• If she has an accident, remember to remain calm and stay positive.  She is just learning and learning through mistakes can be just as important as learning through successes.  Toilet training should be a positive experience.  After cleaning up (she can help) have her sit on the toilet and tell her if she has to go potty, she goes potty on the toilet.

Toilet Training Data Sheet

Take her to sit on the toilet approximately every hour.  Have her sit on the toilet for 2 minutes. After she sits calmly for 2 minutes reinforce her behavior with social praise.  First, reinforce calm sitting with preferred item until she has her first success.  Next, only reinforce with preferred item when she urinates in the toilet.  If she urinates in the toilet immediately reinforce this behavior with a designated preferred item and social praise.

SAMPLE:

D = dry                                    BM = bowel movement

U = urinated                             U/BM = urinated and bowel movement