A Telehealth Delivered Toilet Training Intervention for Children with Autism

BACKGROUND: Independence in toileting is a vital skill, yet toilet-training interventions for children with autism are limited. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the acceptability and preliminary efficacy of a hybrid telehealth intervention that used synchronous individualized coaching sessions and asynchronous online educational materials to support parents in toilet training their children with autism. METHOD: Participants included 34 families of children with autism ages 2 to 8 years. Measures were administered at pre- and postintervention (10–12 weeks) and included the Toileting Behavior Questionnaire, Goal Attainment Scaling, and Canadian Occupational Performance Measure. RESULTS: Twenty-five families completed all intervention procedures. Parents found the intervention highly acceptable and reported significant improvements in child toileting behaviors; however, families accessed the asynchronous intervention materials at a low rate. CONCLUSION: A parent coaching model delivered through telehealth may be a promising method to increase toileting independence among families of young children with autism.