The Toileting Teacher
Did you know we have a toileting teacher?!
Toilet training can be a major developmental milestone for children and a major source of stress for many families. The challenges can increase for families of children on the autism spectrum. Delays in toilet training are common and stem from a variety of factors, including sensory sensitivities, communication challenges, and the child’s strong preference for routines.
Research shows that children with autism may require more time, structure, and support to successfully master toileting skills. According to one study, individualized and behaviorally-based toilet training programs can be highly effective. Success increases when combined with strategies like positive reinforcement, visual schedules, and timed routines. Additional recent research highlights the importance of incorporating a child’s communication preferences and sensory profile into their toilet training plan.
Here’s what makes these approaches effective:
Clear, Predictable Routines: Toileting success starts with consistency. Using a visual schedule or a timer helps the child anticipate when bathroom trips will happen. This reduces anxiety for the child and parents observe less resistance.
Positive Reinforcement: Just like with other new skills, every step in the right direction deserves praise! Whether it’s sitting on the toilet, staying dry, or communicating the need to go, small wins build big confidence in your child!
Gradual Desensitization: For children with sensory sensitivities, even entering a bathroom can be overwhelming. The key is to introduce the toilet slowly! Start with close proximity to the toilet and progress to sitting on, flushing, and using the toilet at your child’s pace.
Family Partnership: Parents are an essential part of the toileting process. We collaborate closely with you to ensure that your routines and strategies can be reinforced consistently across different bathroom.
At Adaptive Brain Academy, our toileting interventions align with the latest evidence-based practices and are always tailored to the unique needs of your child. We create a calm, supportive environment where children can learn toileting skills without fear or pressure.
Toilet training doesn’t have to be a source of frustration for your family! With the right approach, it can become a milestone full of pride, progress, and independence.
If you’re navigating toileting challenges with your child, we’re here to support you. Contact Adaptive Brain Academy to learn how our team can help make this transition smoother and faster for you and your child! Contact us today!
Helping Picky Eaters Thrive: A Gentle, Effective Approach to Feeding Challenges in Autism
Feeding challenges are common among children on the autism spectrum, with many parents reporting extreme picky eating, also known as food selectivity. This often means a child eats only a narrow range of foods and may reject entire food groups based on factors such as texture, color, or presentation.
Research shows that for many children with autism, selective eating is more than just being “picky.” According to Dr. Holly C. Gover, a leading expert in this area, many children experience heightened sensory sensitivities, rigid routines, and anxiety around new foods. These factors can make mealtimes stressful for the whole family.
A recent study led by Dr. Gover introduced an alternative to traditional feeding therapy that focuses on choice, collaboration, and respect. The study found that all participants involved were able to expand their diets, with minimal problem behavior.
Here’s what made the approach effective:
Gradual Exposure: Children were guided through small steps, such as looking, touching, smelling, and eventually tasting new foods.
Positive Reinforcement: Every attempt, no matter how small, was met with encouragement and rewards.
Family Involvement: Parents helped choose which foods to target and were supported in using the techniques at home.
Low-Stress Environment: Mealtime became about curiosity and success, not pressure or punishment.
Our feeding interventions align closely with Dr. Gover’s research. We use systematic desensitization, introducing foods in a way that feels safe and manageable. For example, a child might start by simply tolerating a new food on their plate before progressing to touching, tasting, and eventually eating it. At each stage, we provide positive reinforcement and support from trained professionals.
We also work with families to build routines that carry over into the home and school, because consistency is key to long-term success.
Mealtime doesn’t have to be a battle. With the right tools and support, it can become a time of growth, connection, and even joy.
If you’re struggling with your child’s eating habits, we’re here to help. Contact Adaptive Brain Academy to learn more how we can support you and your child.
Why Saying “No” is a Powerful Skill for Kids with Disabilities
Rethinking “non-compliance” as a tool for self-advocacy
As parents of children with disabilities, we are often taught that success looks like following directions, staying on task, and fitting into routines. But what if sometimes, teaching our children to say “no” is just as important?
An article from Autism Spectrum News encourages us to rethink non-compliance, not as misbehavior, but as a form of self-advocacy and personal safety.
What “No” Really Means
When your child refuses to do something, it might be their way of saying:
“I don’t feel safe.”
“I don’t understand.”
“This doesn’t feel right.
“I need a break.”
This isn’t just about saying “no” to rules—it’s about learning to set boundaries, communicate needs, and protect themselves.
Assent vs. Consent: What’s the Difference?
We often talk about consent, but there’s another important word to know: assent.
Consent
Given by the parent or guardian
Legally required for things like therapy or school services
Assent
Given by the child
Means the child agrees to participate and understands what’s happening
4 Easy Ways to Teach Self-Advocacy at Home
Make space for their voice
Let your child know it's okay to say how they feel—even if it’s “no.”Offer simple choices
Give them opportunities to make decisions about clothing, food, or activities.Respect their boundaries
If they refuse a task or say no to physical contact, honor that and talk it through.Partner with teachers and therapists
Encourage professionals to recognize non-compliance as a communication tool, not just a behavior issue.
Final Thought: “No” Can Be Empowering
When we teach our kids to say “no,” we’re not raising defiant children—we’re raising strong, self-aware advocates. These skills will help them stay safe, express their needs, and make informed choices now and in the future.
Empowered kids become empowered adults.
What Is Applied Behavior Analysis?
ABA is the science of understanding behavior and learning. At its core, ABA looks at why a behavior happens and how to increase helpful behaviors while reducing those that may be harmful or interfere with learning.
In an ABA program, we:
Assess each child’s strengths and needs
Set individualized goals based on what’s most meaningful for the child and family
Use positive reinforcement to teach new skills
Track progress using data, and make changes when needed
ABA can help children:
Learn to communicate wants and needs
Build social skills and friendships
Improve attention and following directions
Gain independence in daily tasks (e.g., brushing teeth, getting dressed)
Let’s Talk About the Controversy
Like many fields that have been around for decades, ABA has evolved significantly since its early days. Some criticisms of ABA stem from practices used in the past, particularly in the 1960s–1980s, which sometimes relied heavily on repetition, rigid drills, and consequences that didn’t always consider the child’s emotional experience.
Some adults who received early forms of ABA report feeling like their behavior was controlled, rather than supported. These stories are important, and they have fueled vital conversations and improvements in the field.
How ABA Has Grown and Changed
Today’s ABA is not a one-size-fits-all approach. At Adaptive Brain Academy and many modern ABA programs, here’s what sets current practice apart:
Child-Led Goals: We focus on what matters most to the child and family, not on “making kids look typical.”
Naturalistic Teaching: We embed learning into play and daily routines, so skills are learned in meaningful, fun, and functional ways, which leads to better acquisition and generalization.
Compassionate Care: We emphasize relationship-building, consent, and respecting each child. Our therapeutic approach is collaborative, where therapy is not something done to a child, but with them.
Neurodiversity Affirming Practices: We support the individual child. We work alongside families to help children thrive.
What ABA Looks Like at Adaptive Brain Academy
Our therapists are trained in current evidence-based applied behavior analysis practices, with an emphasis on empathy and meaningful progress. We believe:
Every child deserves respect and autonomy
Learning should feel empowering, not overwhelming
Families are essential partners in the process
We partner with parents every step of the way, offering support, coaching, and transparency. We also continuously seek feedback and adapt our methods based on your child’s unique needs and preferences.
ABA is a powerful tool—but like any tool, it’s all about how it’s used. At Adaptive Brain Academy, we use ABA to celebrate children’s strengths, support their challenges with compassion, and build the skills that matter most for their futures.
If you have questions or concerns about ABA, we welcome them. Let’s have an open, honest conversation about what’s right for your family.
Support for all of Life’s Stages
We believe in holistic support across the lifespan can lead to greater outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
From the first diagnosis through adulthood, individuals with disabilities face unique challenges that evolve with each stage of life. It is critical to provide consistent, coordinated support across the entire lifespan, and at Adaptive Brain Academy, we’re committed to doing exactly that.
A diagnosis of a disability impacts not just how a person communicates or behaves, it affects their ability to access healthcare, education, employment, and social opportunities throughout life. The needs of individuals aren’t static; they shift from childhood to adolescence to adulthood, requiring a flexible, informed, and deeply supportive approach at every phase.
The research identifies several core areas where lifelong support is essential:
Quality, stage-specific information
Skill-building and behavior support
Educational and vocational transitions
Health and safety planning
Community inclusion
Coordinated care systems
How Adaptive Brain Academy Provides Lifespan Support
We built Adaptive Brain Academy around the idea that individuals and their families need continuity of care. Here’s how our approach evolves with your child’s needs:
Early Years: Laying the Foundation
In the early years, the focus is on early intervention, communication skills, and helping families manage the emotional impact of diagnosis. Our program provides structured skill-building in natural environments while empowering parents through training and hands-on coaching.
School-Age: Education, Advocacy, and Social Growth
As children enter school, their world becomes more complex. They face academic expectations, peer dynamics, and the need for greater independence. We support families through IEP collaboration, educator communication, and targeted interventions for social and behavioral development. Our group programs foster friendships and build social-emotional skills in real-world settings.
Adolescence: Planning for the Future
The teenage years are a critical time to start planning for life beyond high school. We help families and individuals navigate post-secondary options, self-advocacy training, life skills development, and community integration. Topics like safety, sexuality, and identity are addressed with care and respect.
Adulthood: Independence and Inclusion
Adulthood brings new challenges: employment, housing, relationships, and continued learning. Many families are unsure where to turn when school services end. Adaptive Brain Academy works with individuals and families to build vocational skills, access adult services, and create pathways to greater autonomy and fulfillment.
Transitions: Support During Key Life Changes
Whether it’s starting kindergarten or transitioning into adult services, change is a constant. We specialize in helping families prepare for and manage transitions by coordinating care, providing resources, and staying involved as a trusted partner throughout the process.
Why Lifespan Support Matters
Research consistently shows that when individuals with disabilities receive coordinated, personalized support across their lives, they experience better outcomes, and so do their families. What makes the difference is not just what services are offered, but how they’re delivered: with respect, continuity, and a focus on strengths, not deficits. We strive to become a partner in your child’s and your family’s journey. Whether you’re looking for behavior support, help navigating transitions, or building community connections, we’re here to walk beside you.