Have you ever heard the saying, if you’ve met one person with autism you’ve met one person with autism? I think that same philosophy applies to the techniques used to unlock potential in someone with autism. The technique that works for one person on the spectrum, may only work for one person on the spectrum.
You see, we have tried more than once to toilet train Brantley over his life. Each time, we would give him edible reinforcers for voiding on the toilet. After all, that seems to be the standard protocol for toilet training someone with Autism.
For Brantley? That didn’t work.
My smart little cookie learnt exactly what he needed to do to get the mini Oreos we were using as reinforcers, pee in the toilet. So pee in the toilet is what he was did, at a rate of 52 times a day.
It turns out, the standard protocol wasn’t going to work for Brantley. But changing course, and reinforcing Brantley staying dry was all it took.
We are 1 month in to this round of toilet training and I feel like we can say Brantley is almost toilet trained. He is going more than 35 minutes between bathroom trips and for the first time, I can say that Brantley being toilet trained feels in reach.
As I think about our change in strategy, I am reminded of the unique nature of each child with autism. What works for one may not work for another, highlighting the importance of individualized strategies and flexibility in finding what truly resonates with each individual. #autismlife #autismfamily #disability
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