Toileting skills are a milestone typically achieved by the age of four. For many caregivers, particularly those who have children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder or other developmental disabilities, teaching toileting is a challenge resulting in delayed implementation. Delaying toileting increases the risk of challenges to acquiring this…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of an intensive toilet training program on continence and self-initiation for elementary children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Researchers used a non-concurrent multiple baseline design (Watson and Workman in J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 12:257-259, 1981,…

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are often delayed in achieving bowel continence, resulting in negative outcomes. In this pilot trial, 20 children with ASD and encopresis were randomly assigned to multidisciplinary intervention for encopresis (MIE; n = 10) or a waitlist control group (n = 10). The MIE group was treated for constipation…

Incontinence, psychological symptoms, parental stress and psychopathology were examined in 51 children (43 boys, mean age = 9.7 years) presented in an outpatient clinic for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and in 53 matched controls (43 boys, mean age = 10.2 years). All children were clinically assessed for ASD, incontinence and psychopathology…

This investigation surveyed 100 parents of people with autism (mean age 19.5 years) concerning toilet training and toileting problems. Results focus on ages at toilet training, toilet training methods, toileting skills, behavior problems related to toileting, and fears related to toileting. (DB)