SLP 305: A Guide to Toilet Training Neurodiverse Children Including Stool Withholding and Toilet Avoidance with Guest Melissa Yapp

Join Sue for an upcoming Live Virtual Workshop where you will learn from Sue practical tips & strategies to make a difference. In this episode, we will discuss: ✅ Executive Functioning: Skills needed to complete tasks successfully. ✅ Eight Skills: Self-monitoring, planning, flexibility, organization, emotions, impulses, initiation, memory. ✅ Autistic Inertia: Difficulty starting tasks due to overwhelm or anxiety. ✅ Teachable Skills: Executive functioning improves with practice and support. ✅ Visual Supports: Time timers and written instructions help students focus. ✅ Environmental Changes: Modify classroom structure rather than changing the child. ✅ Brain Breaks: Movement, music, or snacks can jumpstart task initiation. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/executive-function-classroom-strategies Join the Facebook group specifically for this podcast www.facebook.com/groups/suelarkeypodcastcommunity/ Join my Neurodiversity Network suelarkey.com.au/neurodiversity-network/ Follow my Instagram account for regular tips www.instagram.com/sue.larkey/ To learn more about teaching or understanding ASD, please visit my website below. elearning.suelarkey.com.au

Join Sue for an upcoming Live Virtual Workshop where you will learn from Sue practical tips & strategies to make a difference. In this episode, we will discuss: ✅ Timing: Start secondary transition planning in year five. ✅ Visits: Visit schools with students present, not empty. ✅ Sensory: Address smells, sounds, and movement in secondary. ✅ Language: Teach "I'm unsure" instead of "help me." ✅ Tools: Use videos, maps, and timetable practice. ✅ Social: Consider peer connections over academic rankings. ✅ Maturity: Avoid childish items like decorated lunchboxes. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/secondary-school-transition-strategies Join the Facebook group specifically for this podcast www.facebook.com/groups/suelarkeypodcastcommunity/ Join my Neurodiversity Network suelarkey.com.au/neurodiversity-network/ Follow my Instagram account for regular tips www.instagram.com/sue.larkey/ To learn more about teaching or understanding ASD, please visit my website below. elearning.suelarkey.com.au

Join Sue for an upcoming Live Virtual Workshop where you will learn from Sue practical tips & strategies to make a difference. In this episode, we will discuss: ✅ Teacher Assistants: Provide crucial one-on-one support for students. ✅ Independence: Encourage students to work toward self-reliance daily. ✅ Coping Strategies: Teach calm breathing and simple choice-based actions. ✅ Hidden Rules: Explain classroom routines and unspoken expectations clearly. ✅ Timing Support: Schedule assistance when students are most engaged. ✅ Flexibility: Encourage resilience, mistakes, and trying again without fear. ✅ Avoid Helplessness: Let students attempt tasks before offering direct help. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/teacher-assistant-neurodiverse-support-strategies Join the Facebook group specifically for this podcast www.facebook.com/groups/suelarkeypodcastcommunity/ Join my Neurodiversity Network suelarkey.com.au/neurodiversity-network/ Follow my Instagram account for regular tips www.instagram.com/sue.larkey/ To learn more about teaching or understanding ASD, please visit my website below. elearning.suelarkey.com.au

Join Sue for an upcoming Live Virtual Workshop where you will learn from Sue practical tips & strategies to make a difference. In this episode, we will discuss: ✅ TA Relationships: Consistent bonds aid autistic students without unhealthy dependency. ✅ Role Clarity: Teachers lead instruction; TAs support, not replace teachers. ✅ Predictability: Consistent TA assignments reduce anxiety and improve classroom stability. ✅ Collaboration: Teachers and TAs coordinate, leaving egos at the door. ✅ Behavior Communication: Behavior expresses needs when communication is limited. ✅ Generalization: Teach skills across contexts to prevent rigid, situation-bound learning. ✅ Student Agency: Let students choose support methods and TA use in secondary. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/teacher-assistant-classroom-strategies Join the Facebook group specifically for this podcast www.facebook.com/groups/suelarkeypodcastcommunity/ Join my Neurodiversity Network suelarkey.com.au/neurodiversity-network/ Follow my Instagram account for regular tips www.instagram.com/sue.larkey/ To learn more about teaching or understanding ASD, please visit my website below. elearning.suelarkey.com.au

Join Sue for an upcoming Live Virtual Workshop where you will learn from Sue practical tips & strategies to make a difference. In this episode, we will discuss: ✅ Don't wait for readiness signs when toilet training. ✅ Use visuals to support children with communication difficulties. ✅ Find perfect calm moments to teach new skills. ✅ Make learning fun and engaging for better outcomes. ✅ Create communication-rich environments with picture exchange systems. ✅ Provide sensory breaks to help children self-regulate. ✅ Start toilet training on actual toilet, avoid potties. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/visual-strategies-neurodiverse-children Join the Facebook group specifically for this podcast www.facebook.com/groups/suelarkeypodcastcommunity/ Join my Neurodiversity Network suelarkey.com.au/neurodiversity-network/ Follow my Instagram account for regular tips www.instagram.com/sue.larkey/ To learn more about teaching or understanding ASD, please visit my website below. elearning.suelarkey.com.au

Join Sue for an upcoming Live Virtual Workshop where you will learn from Sue practical tips & strategies to make a difference. In this episode, we will discuss: ✅ Focus on two goals at a time for clarity. ✅ Prioritize teaching pointing and asking for help first. ✅ Skills must transfer across all environments consistently. ✅ Use visuals and signs for consistent communication. ✅ Collaborate with OT, speech, and psychology professionals. ✅ Model and prompt desired behaviors in daily routines. ✅ Share progress and strategies with all caregivers regularly. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/teaching-pointing-neurodiverse-children Join the Facebook group specifically for this podcast www.facebook.com/groups/suelarkeypodcastcommunity/ Join my Neurodiversity Network suelarkey.com.au/neurodiversity-network/ Follow my Instagram account for regular tips www.instagram.com/sue.larkey/ To learn more about teaching or understanding ASD, please visit my website below. elearning.suelarkey.com.au

Join Sue for an upcoming Live Virtual Workshop where you will learn from Sue practical tips & strategies to make a difference. In this episode, we will discuss: ✅ Multiple Medication Trials Common: Most families tried 2-3 different medications. ✅ Side Effects Vary Greatly: Same medication affects each child differently. ✅ Team Approach Critical: Teachers, parents, and doctors must collaborate together. ✅ Document Changes Carefully: Keep medication diary to track subtle improvements. ✅ Parents Often Disagree Initially: Couples need strategies for medication decisions. ✅ Non-Stimulant Options Available: Alternatives exist beyond traditional Ritalin for ADHD. ✅ Sleep Issues Improve: Many children sleeping better with right medication. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/medication-for-neurodiverse-children Join the Facebook group specifically for this podcast www.facebook.com/groups/suelarkeypodcastcommunity/ Join my Neurodiversity Network suelarkey.com.au/neurodiversity-network/ Follow my Instagram account for regular tips www.instagram.com/sue.larkey/ To learn more about teaching or understanding ASD, please visit my website below. elearning.suelarkey.com.au

Join Sue for an upcoming Live Virtual Workshop where you will learn from Sue practical tips & strategies to make a difference. In this episode, we will discuss: ✅ PDA is autism with extreme anxiety around demands. ✅ Build trust through authentic, equal relationships with students. ✅ Offer real choices to provide autonomy and control. ✅ Share interests without hijacking them for forced learning. ✅ Model emotions openly to normalize feelings and responses. ✅ Use humor and creative approaches to reduce demands. ✅ Fresh starts daily: never carry sanctions to tomorrow. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/pda-classroom-strategies-podcast Join the Facebook group specifically for this podcast www.facebook.com/groups/suelarkeypodcastcommunity/ Join my Neurodiversity Network suelarkey.com.au/neurodiversity-network/ Follow my Instagram account for regular tips www.instagram.com/sue.larkey/ To learn more about teaching or understanding ASD, please visit my website below. elearning.suelarkey.com.au

Join Sue for an upcoming Live Virtual Workshop where you will learn from Sue practical tips & strategies to make a difference. In this episode, we will discuss: ✅ Traditional rewards and consequences often don't work effectively. ✅ Anxiety management is the key to reducing behaviors. ✅ Give children control and choices to lower demands. ✅ Pick your battles and be realistic with expectations. ✅ Watch for warning signs like tone changes or laughter. ✅ Use indirect praise rather than direct compliments. ✅ Start each day fresh for yourself and child. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/what-is-odd-and-pda Join the Facebook group specifically for this podcast www.facebook.com/groups/suelarkeypodcastcommunity/ Join my Neurodiversity Network suelarkey.com.au/neurodiversity-network/ Follow my Instagram account for regular tips www.instagram.com/sue.larkey/ To learn more about teaching or understanding ASD, please visit my website below. elearning.suelarkey.com.au

Join Sue for an upcoming Live Virtual Workshop where you will learn from Sue practical tips & strategies to make a difference. In this episode, we will discuss: ✅ Visual supports provide permanent prompts for processing information slowly. ✅ Toilet training requires breaking into smaller achievable mini goals. ✅ Routine changes are extremely challenging for neurodiverse children. ✅ Constipation and stool withholding create significant behavioral challenges. ✅ Social scripts help introduce toileting concepts gently. ✅ Modeling toileting routines reduces fear and builds understanding. ✅ Multiple strategies needed - one approach rarely works. Read more about this podcast in the show notes found via the link below suelarkey.com.au/toilet-training-for-neurodiverse-children Join the Facebook group specifically for this podcast www.facebook.com/groups/suelarkeypodcastcommunity/ Join my Neurodiversity Network suelarkey.com.au/neurodiversity-network/ Follow my Instagram account for regular tips www.instagram.com/sue.larkey/ To learn more about teaching or understanding ASD, please visit my website below. elearning.suelarkey.com.au