Potty Training Pride

Cole still isn't potty trained.  I started getting him familiar with potty time around 16 months.  The boy loves books, and so I would sit him on the potty 3 to 4 times a day and literally read for hours.  He would go, but it never really registered with him ... and he would want to continue reading.

2 years later its obvious from Cole's various delays that starting this early was doomed to fail.  If potty training has potential for struggle - Autism is a major obstacle leading to potential potty training war. 

Until recently Cole wasn't physically ready (bladder control, self dressing, etc.) or mentally ready.  A child who can't tell their parent if they're hot, cold, sore, afraid, or hungry is definitely not able to communicate the urges of their bladder.

Cole has made huge strides over the spring and summer.  His speech has come a long way and we are getting a glimpse into his desires feelings and preferences.  Over the past few months Cole has been able to accomplish some huge milestones with some huge pushing on our part.  These are things most kids do naturally but we have learned not to take for granted.  Since the winter Cole has learned to take off his own shoes when he enters the house, take off his own shirt and pants, drink from a regular cup (not a sippy), and take bites from a sandwich (previously cut into bite-sized pieces).  All these were skills we wanted Cole to accomplish before "the big one" ... potty training.

So now that he has made these huge strides it was time to address the elephant in the room. 

Potty training in a weekend was just not going to happen for us.  Once Cole is content in a routine it takes a while to break it.  Wearing diapers has been a lifetime routine ... this was going to be tough slugging.

We are now in our 3rd week.  The routine is simple.  When we're hanging out at home Cole wears underwear.  Diapers are still worn at night and for going out in public and occasionally for nap time.  We're casual about it and there is a lot of praise and encouragement.  When Cole goes on the potty he gets a "potty present" (a.k.a. my old Happy meal Toy collection).  Having a small training potty in the room in front of his eyes seems to be more successful than having to remember to get to the bathroom and the extra steps of climbing onto a stool.

Cole has been exceeding our expectations.  In the last 2 days he's only had 2 accidents.  He still rarely tells us he needs to go, and he isn't able to take himself to his potty.  But he's willing to sit on his potty if we think he needs to go (he walks on his tip toes).  He's figured out the reward system after a couple of weeks.  That's a big accomplishment in itself.  He still asks for Mickey Mouse (a diaper) but that usually means he really does need to go, even if he denies it.  He still would rather go in a diaper, but he's become comfortable going on the potty for the most part instead of holding things in at all costs like he did when we began.

So sparing you any more details, I just had to brag about my little man.  He still has a long way to go, but he has made HUGE steps and we're very proud.