Elsevier

Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Volume 3, Issue 3, July–September 2009, Pages 607-618
Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Review
Toilet training individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities: A critical review

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2009.01.005Get rights and content

Abstract

The following article reviews the current literature addressing toilet training individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. The review addresses programs typical to toilet training the developmental disability population, most of which are modeled after the original Foxx and Azrin [Azrin, N. H., & Foxx, R. M. (1971). A rapid method of toilet training the institutionalized retarded. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis 4, 89–99; Foxx, R. M., & Azrin, N. H. (1973). Toilet training persons with developmental disabilities: A rapid program for day and nighttime independent toileting. Harrisburg, PA: Help Services Press] rapid toilet training methods. Components of such programs are isolated and described in their contribution to toilet training models. Studies are then reviewed and compared for participant and study characteristics. Individual studies validating toilet training programs are then discussed in light of their program components and efficacy. Shortcomings to currently available programs are highlighted and future areas of study are suggested.

Section snippets

Method

A comprehensive literature review was conducted where the major psychology (e.g., PsychoInfo), educational (e.g., ERIC), and medical (e.g., Medline) search engines were queried for toileting articles using a combination of the following search words: “toileting, toilet, and (in)continence” and “autism, developmental disability and disorder, intellectual disability and mental retardation.” The years searched began with (Fall) 2008 and a lower year limit was not set. Sixty-eight citations were

Discussion

A number of training protocols have been well established as successful for achieving continence in individuals with autism spectrum disorders and developmental disabilities. Almost all of these protocols are derivatives of the RTT method pioneered by Foxx and Azrin (Azrin & Foxx, 1971; Foxx & Azrin, 1973), with the exception of the earlier training programs that still contain a number of behavioral strategies. Still, it is important to investigate both the participant and study/programmatic

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