Below is a general skill sequence for introducing the first stages of toileting.

Among the myriad skills aimed at enhancing a learner's quality of life, toileting stands as one of the most impactful. This skill area focuses on preparing the learner for toilet training by initially concentrating on simple, single-step tasks. The aim is to ease the learner into the more complex aspects of toileting by first mastering foundational behaviors such as hand-holding, transitioning from one location to another, and sitting for extended periods. These preparatory steps offer the learner a gradual introduction to the toilet training process, making it less daunting and more achievable. Additionally, continuing to work on "mands" (requests) for locations can serve as a complementary skill set, aiding the learner in effectively communicating their needs during toilet training. Mastery in these preliminary skills sets the stage for successful toilet training, which is an essential life skill that significantly impacts the learner's independence and overall quality of life.

Treatment Plan Goal Ideas

This is a list of treatment plan goals. These are different from the goals you will find in the skill sequence below. Your treatment plan goals encompass any number of goals from the skill sequence. Sometime they will include multiple goals from the sequence (”Learner will label 5 toys”) and sometimes the treatment plan goal will be simply consist of a really important goal from the skill sequence (”Will label caregiver”). An analogy I like to use goes as follows: Each skill sequence goal (commonly known as a “target”) represent each stair in a flight of stairs. The treatment plan goal is the flight itself.

Treatment plan goal ideas for this particular skill area are as follows:

• Learner will sit on the toilet when asked to do so.
• Learner will sit on a toilet when taken on a schedule.

Component Skills

Your learner may need to be fluent in these component skills first before introducing this goal/skill area. Component skills for this skill sequence may include skill areas that are fundamental to other areas. Fluency in the skill areas listed below may increase the likelihood that your learner will succeed in this skill sequence and those afterward.

Intro to Reinforcer/Preference Expansion

Intro to Manding

Imitates Actions with Preferred Items

Performs Preferred Action with Preferred Item (LR)

Performs Action During Familiar Routines (LR)

Intro to Sitting

Intro to Handholding

Skill Possibilities

Below is a possible skill sequence for working on increasing your learner’s ability to engage in the first steps of toileting. Note that every learner is different and that you likely will need to tweak and vary some programming to their needs. Click the triangle icon to view the full description for each skill in the sequence/area.

Concurrent Skills

Working on these skills at the same time could help with goal mastery. Maybe your learner has mastered these skills already. Perhaps they are already listed as component skills above. That’s okay! Targeting other learning channels might help your learner.

Manding for Locations

Intro to Dressing

Intro to Washing Hands

Intro to Wiping

Intro to Faucets/Dials

Wiping After Bowel Movements

Transitioning With Others

Composite Skills

These are the possible next steps for learners who have mastered, or are mastering, the skills listed above. Note that new skill areas may require fluency in other component skills not listed above. Also, you can introduce composite skill sequences prematurely to keep your learner progressing, as generativity may occur earlier than expected.

Advanced Toileting (Coming Soon!)

Follow the link below to better understand component-composite analysis.

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