Implementation of "potty party" an errorless learning procedure in the school setting to toilet train children with autism

Abstract

This study investigates the effectiveness of an all-day toilet training method ( potty party ) for participants with autism. In theory, the potty party method resembles the behavioral procedure of errorless learning which maximizes chances for success while minimizing opportunities for failure. Unlike other toilet training methods with dense schedules of brief bathroom visitation, the potty party has participants seated on the toilet for long periods (to start) and gives short breaks contingent on in-toilet urination. Prompting to functionally request the bathroom and positive reinforcement upon occurrence of in-toilet urination were also used as a part of the toilet training method. The potty party method successfully decreased accidents to zero levels for all three participants and increased in-toilet urination for two out of the three.