Toilet training autistic twins is one of the most frequently commented on topic in our community! You may think it is difficult to toilet train just one child, but add in twins or triplets and autism, and it can be a completely different experience.

But don’t fear – you are already doing lots of challenging things as a parent to twins or more, so don’t let toilet training stop you.  While not all autistic children can be toilet trained, with patience and consistency, you may just get there. 

Getting started

When is it right to start thinking about toilet training?  Each child is different, and if you have twins or more, they may not be ready at the same time.  You may also have your own personal reasons for wanting to begin toilet training, such as your children starting school or an upcoming trip that you want to be prepared for. 

Common signs may be staying dry for longer periods, indicating when they need to go, and showing interest in the toilet.  If you find that one is not ready, wait a few weeks (or months) and try again when they may be ready.  In my experience, my daughter was ready to be toilet trained about a year earlier than her brothers, you may find similar with your own children.  

Just as each child is different, motivation may be different for your children.  You might try routines such as taking them to the toilet every 30 minutes, singing a special song, using visual aids or social stories, or special rewards like stickers or a desired treat.  Try different strategies to see what each child responds to best.

Sensory challenges

Another thing to consider is that many neurodivergent people struggle with both sensory integration challenges, and interoception.  Sensory integration means that you process sensory input differently than others – for example you may be over or under responsive to lights, sounds, touch and textures.  This can greatly affect toilet training, as the toilet can be a loud, smelly and overwhelming place.  Additionally, many autistic children struggle with restrictive diets and constipation, which can make going to the toilet even more of a challenge.   

On the other hand, interoception affects the ability to understand and interpret body signals, so your child may not know that it is time to use the toilet until it is too late, or be unable to tell when their clothes are wet or dirty.  Your Kids Table provide a great blog article on solving some of these sensory challenges. 

Are you ready to begin your toilet training journey?  Leave a comment below to share what has worked, or not worked for your family.

This website uses affiliate links. I may make a small commission from purchases when you use these links, at no additional cost to you.