How do i deal with changing a diaper of a 6 year old autstic boy?
Diaper
beth asked:
I have 2 autstic children 7 and 6 my boy has decided he don’t like his diaper changed anymore. We are trying to teach him to use the potty but he hasn’t got it yet. He don’t talk so he can’t tell us when he has to go. It has gotten to the point that it takes 2 people to change him. We don’t always have 2 people to change 1 diaper. I also have an 11 year old boy.
I have 2 autstic children 7 and 6 my boy has decided he don’t like his diaper changed anymore. We are trying to teach him to use the potty but he hasn’t got it yet. He don’t talk so he can’t tell us when he has to go. It has gotten to the point that it takes 2 people to change him. We don’t always have 2 people to change 1 diaper. I also have an 11 year old boy.
I have 2 autstic children 7 and 6 my boy has decided he don’t like his diaper changed anymore. We are trying to teach him to use the potty but he hasn’t got it yet. He don’t talk so he can’t tell us when he has to go. It has gotten to the point that it takes 2 people to change him. We don’t always have 2 people to change 1 diaper. I also have an 11 year old boy.
I have 2 autstic children 7 and 6 my boy has decided he don’t like his diaper changed anymore. We are trying to teach him to use the potty but he hasn’t got it yet. He don’t talk so he can’t tell us when he has to go. It has gotten to the point that it takes 2 people to change him. We don’t always have 2 people to change 1 diaper. I also have an 11 year old boy.
It is not that he won’t let me or his father clean him it is he don’t want the new diaper put on. he don’t want to wear it at all our problem is trying to get him to let us put the diaper on him till he is able to use the tolet
It is not that he won’t let me or his father clean him it is he don’t want the new diaper put on. he don’t want to wear it at all our problem is trying to get him to let us put the diaper on him till he is able to use the tolet.
we have help from counclers and visiting nurses. it is just trying to get him to understand that he has to wear the diaper till he can use the potty. or trying to find an easier way for 1 person to change him while he is trying to not let them put the diaper on him.
Ethel
February 20th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
Frederick
I can understand your frustration, believe me. My best suggestion is to find a councelor whom deals with autistic children/adults.
February 21st, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Jamie
shit… i cant imagine wat ur going through..
February 23rd, 2009 at 3:24 am
Jim
Wow you have it pretty rough. I can’t imagine having two autistic children, I only have one. I can only think of one thing that may or may not help. Is the problem positional? Would he let you clean him up sitting on the potty? Awkward I know. Maybe he will get the idea that poop goes there. It took me quite away to potty train my daughter, she doesn’t poo all over the floor anymore!!
If you ever need a sympathetic ear please feel free to e-mail me.
February 25th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Marion
Maybe you need to hire a nurse to help you out if you can. The state has programs set up to help you. Just go or call your local DSS office and they can hook you up witht he right people. Good Luck and God Bless you!
March 1st, 2009 at 1:30 am
Courtney
Maybe some sort of reward - like some musical toy he can only hold if he is sitting on the potty…and an extra reward for actually going. Keep a cardboard picture of the toy around, so that when he has to go he can point to the picture to let you know.
March 1st, 2009 at 10:51 am
Marc
If you are in the process of potty training him anyway… why not try to get him to help with the cleaning up ? He’ll need to learn how to wipe anyway and maybe having a sense of control of the situation will help keep him calm.
March 3rd, 2009 at 7:10 am
Cathy
Have you tried a social type picture story, with him? I had a horrible time getting my autistic son potty trained I htought it would never happen. Then we got introduced to picture/social stories, and after a month or so he started slowy but surely. I understand how you must feel. I wish you the best
March 5th, 2009 at 8:14 am
Anita
Wow.
I honestly do not know what to respond except to find someone who is a professional and deals with Autistic children.
Good luck.
March 7th, 2009 at 10:32 am
Lucy
If you child has something that he likes, use it as a reward system for his cooperation with the diaper change. Be sure and keep your voice tone soft, and act patient even if you are feeling frustrated. Yes counselors are a good idea too. There are many professionals that have dealt with autistic children for Years that would be very helpful. Wish you the best.
March 9th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
Lois
I used to be a therapist for children with autism. WIth a 3 yr old, we sat him on the toilet for 8 hours in one day. Gave him lots fluid and salty food, so that he would go on the toilet. He finally got the idea that’s what a toilet is for. Also, an 8 year old i worked with, started having a lot of accidents. We had scheduled potty times, every 30 min. take him to the toilet, and then start going for longer periods of time. He needs to learn to know what the urge feels like to use the toilet so that he will learn to go on his own, and not necessarily have to tell you when he has to go. Every child is different, especially every autistic child. Speaking to a proffessional will help generate some different ideas. I worked for a company called Wisconsin Early Autism Project. They did in-home therapy with the children, there probably is some sort of company like that where you are that you can get some ideas from. Social stories work good too, especially if you read that to him before you take him to the potty. Lots of positive reinforcement!!!! Praise him when he uses the toilet, if he has an accident take him directly to the toilet and simply state “we go pee pee on the potty” Also, get rid of the diaper completly, this will only confuse him, do i go in the diaper or on the toilet? I know it’s tough, but you have to be very consistent and have a routine. Good Luck!
March 12th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
Cheryl
this really is close to home. my TWO teenage half brothers are autistic and in diapers. there is no easy way to change the diapers of a child of that age. it is hard for them to communicate and for us to understand. do you have discipline for him? check for rashes, maybe the wiping has chapped his behind, he may not be done, he is trying to tell you something, so explore it. my dad went through the same things with my brothers, it took time, but they finally figured it out, their behinds hurt from all of the wiping. you may need to get professional help on the potty training. my dad chose not to go that route, and will never know if it would have helped or not. Good Luck!!
March 16th, 2009 at 7:44 am
Debbie
All I can say is . . . . God bless you.
March 17th, 2009 at 8:27 am
Cynthia
just try to have your husband change you six year son diaper i know he is auststic but just ask some like a family member or have a nanny change you son diaper. do not potty train you ***** son just keep him in diapers
good luck
March 18th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
Ben
I would suggest adult diapers (like Depends.) He can pull them up and on himself. Tell him he is now able to use underwear like his 10 year old brother. Good luck.
Jujub
March 20th, 2009 at 9:19 am
Ricardo
Does he like music, or do you have a pet? Change him when he is calmed by something soothing such as the music or pet.
Find something that he does find comfort in and let him hold it, cuddle it.
Hope that helps!
aggie
Stayin Home and Lovin It
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March 23rd, 2009 at 3:46 am
Nathan
Hire a nurse or consult his doctor
March 26th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Gary
The very same way you would when changing diapers on a baby.