Potty Training - Meridian,ID

Let him be naked from the waste down, my oldest was very difficult because he had learning problems, and some ocd like issues related to his learning problems and I wish I had done this w/ him, I kinda did but I just took away pull ups and diapers and went right to underwear, what I have found is if you let them be free on the bottom they are more likley to start using the potty, yes there will be accidents to clean, don't make a big deal just say how you wish he would of made it to the potty and have him help clean up the mess, they get the hang of it pretty quick believe it or not. the trick is really to get rid of all other options for him no diaper, no pull-ups.

Okay, I have been working with toddler's for over twenty years now and I can tell you a thing or two about this first hand, I have been right behind many little tykes when they succeeded, and the first one would be: Do not force them, let it be their decision. Forcing them just makes the process alot longer. You take them to the store to pick out their own new underwear and then it only takes a couple of times having an accident before they get the hang of it. But their is 7 signs they need to meet before you even start. When they have an accident do not scold or show disappointment, just say uh oh, it was just an accident, you can try again next time. When they do succeed and get it in the potty, internalize their success for them. I know that you want to jump up and down and hoop and holler but contain it, they have little control over alot of things in their life, this needs to be their accomplishment and idea, so to internalize it, when they do it, you say to them (calmy) wow! how does that make you feel? You put your Poop and Pee in the potty, that is yours isn't it? Another thing I do is I have them sit on the potty backwards so that they feel more secure sitting and they see the BM and urine leave their body which is another internal cue for them. The reason why it is called Potty Training is because the parent is trained to ask if they have to go incesently, and that is a drain on their little self esteem, I know that none of us would want to be asked over and over again or lead in there every hour or so, it's humiliating for them, think about it from their perspective, so if you are reminding him/her or taking them in all the time you are training yourself and humiliating them. We do not give these intelligent little people the credit they deserve, their biggest wish it to please you as a parent so why wouldn't they do it on their own when they are ready, instead of being made to. I do not know if you are familiar with Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, but he has a book called,"Toilet training the Brazelton way" and in his book he has the seven signs to watch for readiness in your child that I mentioned and his philosophy is the one I adopted and I can promise you that it has worked for my children and for countless children in my care for years.
Best of luck in whatever you decide.
These are the beautiful years. (Poop and all)
J. P.

my son just turned three and has autisum we expected alot of difficulty potty so i kept putting it off even though he was showing signs of being ready. one week he had a short week at school and the next whole week off and i decided it was time. i checked out a book from the library: Potty training answer book : practical answers to the top 200 questions parents ask / Karen Deerwester. the no pants potty training method and combined that with the practical answer book worked great. we had a party potty weekend, no pants just long t-shirts and a basket of toys. we had did alot of laundry and floor cleaning but it made him very aware of what was happening with his body. the begining of the next week we switched to big boy underpants again we did alot of laundry but with some time he understood was he was suppose to be doing with all that time on the potty. my suggestion is just to stick with a plan, even though sometimes it is easier to revert back to pullups. hope this helps.

Tough Love. Get rid of all diapers in your house. Put towels down on the bed. There will be accidents, maybe even alot but hey, it works. If there is no other choice, then thats it!
I also heard that getting a doll that pees can help. Have your child show the doll how to use the potty, say now that you taught the doll to go to the potty as a big boy you can too! (I never tried that one but, a friend said that worked)
Good Luck, dont get to discouraged, it will happen!

I just read "diaper free before 3" by Dr. Lekovic. Although it suggests to start at 6mo getting them comfy with the potty- she has a great explaination of getting the job done even later :). She also has a section on potty training children with special needs. The book is short and an interesting quick read- I got it at the library!

Good Luck!
My nephew was the same (3.5 and super super active)- my BIL just got rid of diapers and had him sit a lot- he's getting the hang of it and a schedule keeps him dry. Just a lot of "work" on your part for a few das- but worth it!