Potty Training 3.5 yrs Boy

I have been working to potty train my sensory seeking boy for over a year.  I think he can finally physically make himself poop and pee on the potty but he still continues to go in his pants unless I catch him before he goes.  I typically make him go to the bathroom every couple of hours.  I can tell when he needs to poop and if I get him to the potty then he will finish in the potty.  If anyone else is watching him, then he just goes in his pants.  He will still pee in his pants as well if I forget to make him go.  He has never gone all on his own without being asked and we are having more poop accidents than successes.  He is going to school 3 days a week for 5 hours so he typically goes there knowing that I am not there to stop him.  I've tried pull up vs undies.  I've tried all kinds of charts and removing him from fun activities when accidents occur.  He is quite bright so I thought he would understand that there are things that he is unable to do while still not being potty trained.  Do I need to start completely over or what is the best step to get him going on his own accord?  Thanks for any advice.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Your expectation that he will 'understand' what he can and cannot do contingent on toilet training is misplaced. He cannot understand such a concept - he is only three. Yes, I would endorse your notion of starting over, so to speak. And relax the pressure a bit. You have to be suppportive and encouraging, not pressuring. Make use of children's stories and videos about toilet training, but don't overdo it. Establish a simple reward that he will receive each time he is successful using the potty. Do not discipline him when he is not successful.