Autism Therapy: hand gestures

Several methods of behavioral therapy may be useful for toilet training children with autism and mental retardation.

This article talked about nine different applied behavior analysis (ABA) methods for toilet training. The most common method was called graduated guidance. This method uses prompts to teach each step of behaviors needed to go to the bathroom independently. Prompts include word and hand gestures. Reward for successes and taking away rewards for mistakes may be a helpful system for toilet training. Other methods include setting schedules for sitting on the toilet, following the child's own personal schedule for when they usually need to go, and giving plenty of liquids so they need to go often. Another approach is to ask the person to make up for mistakes when they happen, like cleaning up accidents. Also, showing children videos about the process of going to the bathroom can help them understand what it is they will be doing.