Potty help... Autistic son

[Butterflygirl35]

Hello everyone!

I am looking for some tips..

My DS - 4 is autistic and potty trained (except for minor accidents on rare occassions)

My problem is he is scared of public restrooms, the noise scares him...

Any tips would be greatly appreciated... TIA.

 

[lanejudy]

Is it the automatic-flush toilets? My DD hates those. I try to carry a pad of sticky notes and use one to cover the sensor on the back of the toilet; in a jam, a couple squares of TP with spit from my thumb will stick long enough to do the trick. Then I have her cover her ears with her hands and head to the sinks while I remove the sticky and push the flush override button.

Public restrooms are noisy in general, I don't blame him. All that tile doesn't absorb or muffle any sounds, most restroom toilets are louder than the one at home anyway, add a noisy hand-dryer to the mix and it's probably mega decibiles in there.

Good luck!

 

[Butterflygirl35]

Is it the automatic-flush toilets? My DD hates those. I try to carry a pad of sticky notes and use one to cover the sensor on the back of the toilet; in a jam, a couple squares of TP with spit from my thumb will stick long enough to do the trick. Then I have her cover her ears with her hands and head to the sinks while I remove the sticky and push the flush override button.

Public restrooms are noisy in general, I don't blame him. All that tile doesn't absorb or muffle any sounds, most restroom toilets are louder than the one at home anyway, add a noisy hand-dryer to the mix and it's probably mega decibiles in there.

Good luck!

It is just the noise in general. I cant even get him in the stall without him panicking... The problem is he will hold it in until we get back.. We are staying on the monorail but I would hate to have to go back to the room for potty breaks...

I really dont want to pressure him too much either since he has been so good and accident free...

 

[clanmcculloch]

Do you have any kind of noise ear protectors? If you have those for things like fireworks or other loud activities then you could put them on him before going into the restroom. Walk through a bathroom with him while he wears them before he actually has to go so that he can see for himself what it's like.

It'll be inconvenient and there could be lines to deal with at times but you could try the companion restrooms and restrooms in the first aid stations. They're not set up the same way as the big public restrooms so that echoing sound isn't there.

 

[Butterflygirl35]

Do you have any kind of noise ear protectors? If you have those for things like fireworks or other loud activities then you could put them on him before going into the restroom. Walk through a bathroom with him while he wears them before he actually has to go so that he can see for himself what it's like.

It'll be inconvenient and there could be lines to deal with at times but you could try the companion restrooms and restrooms in the first aid stations. They're not set up the same way as the big public restrooms so that echoing sound isn't there.

Thanks! He refuses to wear anything on his ears. He gets really nervous if someone touches his ears...

Companian restrooms... I didnt even think of that!! Are these where the baby care stations are? That could be much quieter and less intimidating...

I have tried taking him here locally to different public places to get used to it... but no luck

 

[Melissa8905]

Lucky for you: just do a search of "companion restrooms" at Walt Disney World resort here on The Dis, and there's an entire list of places you can take your child for a more quiet, private restroom

 

[SueM in MN]

For the Companion Restrooms in Epcot, look in the Epcot FAQs thread near the top of this board.
You will find information about Companion Restrooms, including pictures, in that thread.
Follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES FAQs thread. Post 3 of that thread has a lot of helpful information, including a link to a thread bout Companion Restrooms.

They are single toilet restrooms with a sink, toilet and a lockable door. A few also ave a urinal. Some are not that quiet - for example one is very near the Peoplemover track and you will hear the announcement from that at regular intervals. And, some are right next to the ladies and men's room and will have some sound carry over from there.
The Companion Restrooms will be quieter than the regular restrooms though.

First Aid is very quiet and you might also want o check out the Baby Care Centers, which also have bathrooms.

 

[Butterflygirl35]

Thanks everyone!!!

 

[CaliKT]

Definitely seek out the companion restrooms! When we went to Disneyland and my son was four, they were our savior!

 

[jlcw14]

Love the companion restrooms as my DS has the same noise sensitivities, but my DH hates that I shame anyone coming out of them ALONE by asking "Where's your companion?!?!"

 

[Butterflygirl35]

Love the companion restrooms as my DS has the same noise sensitivities, but my DH hates that I shame anyone coming out of them ALONE by asking "Where's your companion?!?!"

Thanks, I am hoping that this will make it easier.... I just worry that he will go into regression... (He is so recently potty trained and we leave in a month)

 

[clanmcculloch]

Love the companion restrooms as my DS has the same noise sensitivities, but my DH hates that I shame anyone coming out of them ALONE by asking "Where's your companion?!?!"

Keep in mind that for some people, those restrooms are needed for invisible disabilities. You really are potentially embarassing somebody who's already struggling to cope. The fact that your DS has an invisible disability I would have thought would make you more sensitive to this fact. There are varying reasons why somebody NEEDS to use that restroom and it really isn't your place to put them on the spot or question their need.

 

[Danibelle]

Love the companion restrooms as my DS has the same noise sensitivities, but my DH hates that I shame anyone coming out of them ALONE by asking "Where's your companion?!?!"

You shame people coming out of the restroom?

 

[Butterflygirl35]

PLEASE NO DRAMA!!

I just wanted tips for a precious autistic boy who just recently learned to potty train...

 

[LilyWDW]

Love the companion restrooms as my DS has the same noise sensitivities, but my DH hates that I shame anyone coming out of them ALONE by asking "Where's your companion?!?!"

Wow... just wow. I have to agree with your DH.

 

[jlcw14]

I knew I'd get flamed for it, but I'm sorry - "companion" means "companion" - someone who requires assistance when using the restroom and therefore two of them cannot fit into a regular stall, or, someone needs room due to DME. My DH has fistulating Crohn's disease, and can be "noisy", but he would never go into a companion bathroom. He fits perfectly fine in a regular stall.

 

[livndisney]

I knew I'd get flamed for it, but I'm sorry - "companion" means "companion" - someone who requires assistance when using the restroom and therefore two of them cannot fit into a regular stall, or, someone needs room due to DME. My DH has fistulating Crohn's disease, and can be "noisy", but he would never go into a companion bathroom. He fits perfectly fine in a regular stall.

Your judgement of others is incorrect. The companion restroom is marked with the handicapped symbol and contains rails for those who need them to help themselves off the toilet. The toilets are also higher to assist those that need it. The companion restroom is also used by those who's wheelchairs cannot fit into other stalls.

 

[jlcw14]

I agree - that's why I put "or others who need room due to DME".

 

[livndisney]

I agree - that's why I put "or others who need room due to DME".

I have no idea what this means.

You have no idea why a single person is using a handicapped restroom and quite honestly it is none of your business.

 

[jlcw14]

DME - durable medical equipment.

Everybody has their thing, this is mine. I won't use the handicapped stall in a bathroom if I'm alone either. I'll wait until the next regular stall becomes available. Obviously, for the OP, the use of the companion bathroom can make the difference between a good trip and a nightmare. If I were alone and able to use a regular stall, I couldn't in good conscience occupy a bathroom knowing it is really needed for someone like them who just can't use a regular stall.