Potty Training

[keita]

HI, I work with a 7 year old boy. He is nonverbal he does not communicate that much  and he really does not communicate in his home. He is not potty train and his parents has him in pull ups. I have discuss with mom about using training pants but she continues to let him stay in pull ups. Mom does not have him on any kind of schedule. Mom also continues to give him a bottle with soda when he screams or hits her. The little boy does not know how to drink from a water bottle and when he does he drinks like he has a bottle. I have express to mom that he needs to stop using a baby bottle but it does not seem to get through. I work one on one with him and his goals consists of being potty train, drinking from a cup, learning how to communicate by pointing at a picture of which he does not even pay attention to do. I do not want to give up on this little boy and I have taught him to behave especially out in public but at home he hits and fuss with his parents. His parents do not take the time with him and it is affecting my training. They do have a casemanager but nothing gets done. I need help !!!!!!! If there is some way I can teach him the correct way without his home life ruining his abilities.

Thank you so much

[Sally44]

I agree with what everyone else has said about a multi disciplinary team meeting about how to get family on board.  But mum may be tired, and trying to change routine may seem to big a hill for her to climb.  She will need the plan explaining and will need to be confident of support from all the agencies.  Afterall any change in routine may not be accepted by the child for a long time.  Even if it is possible for the child to reach these goals there is always alot of anxiety and stress around change for children.
Regarding communication through pointing at visual pictures.  Can you try to do it starting from visual pictures for things he wants/needs/likes first.  Always work through any interests the child has and on what communication problems are causing him the most frustration.

[Myrna Libby, Ph.D., BCBA]

This is a very difficult situation.  However, I assume some agency or school system has hired you to provide specific services to this child so I would contact my supervisor and share this information to see if there is any way you can get support for more parental involvement.  It really depends, I expect, on whether you are expected to provide educational services or respite/custodial services.  Good luck.

[Angela77]

Wow.  This sounds like a tough case.  If this child's mother is not on board with what you are trying to help this child learn, then it is a no win situation. My best recommendation to you would be to get his "team" together to discuss what is going on with him.  If that means the case manager, mobile therapist, or whoever is involved, they need to know and discuss this.

Another idea is for you to see how his school is handling his behaviors.  It should be beneficial for both home and school to deal with this boy's issues in the same manner.  Children with autism thrive in consistency.  If his mother sees that they use a schedule in school, she may be more likely to implement that at home.  Same may go for dealing with behaviors.