Potty Power Up Lesson Plan
Potty Power-Up!
Lesson Plan
A step-by-step toilet training program for a 15-year-old severely autistic boy.
Why This Matters
Effective toilet training enhances independence, dignity, and participation in various life activities. This structured approach ensures consistency and reduces anxiety, leading to improved outcomes for students with severe autism.
Time & Audience
- Duration: 30 min (Initial) / Ongoing
- Audience: 7th Grade (15yo Student)
- Approach: Visuals & Cause-Effect Rewards
Preparation 15-20 minutes prep time
- Review all materials: Slide Deck, Script, Visual Schedule, Tracker, and Reward Chart.
- Gather physical items: cause-and-effect toys, small balls, and a visual timer.
- Customize visuals with images relevant to the student's specific preferences.
- Coordinate with the student's parent (mom) to ensure home carryover consistency.
- Prepare a "kit" with rewards for immediate access during training sessions.
Learning Objective
Students will learn the initial steps of a structured toilet training program, including recognizing body signals and understanding the routine using tailored visual supports and rewards.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Introduction & Objectives
5 MIN
Use the Slide Deck and Teacher's Script.
- Introduce the concept of toilet training in a clear, simple manner using visuals.
- Explain the purpose: learning a new routine and earning fun rewards.
2. Introducing the Visual Schedule
10 MIN
Present the Physical Visual Schedule.
- Go through each step: Go to Bathroom, Pull Down, Sit, Pee/Poop, Wipe, Pull Up, Wash, Reward.
- Rehearse steps in a "dry run" (without actual toileting) to focus on the sequence.
- Demonstrate how the visual timer works for the "Sit on Toilet" step.
3. Rewards & Tracking
10 MIN
Show Reward Chart, Tokens, and preferred toys.
- Explain tokens: "First toilet, then play with ball."
- Show the Tracker: Every try gets a sticker; success gets a star.
- Allow a brief "preview" play session with a preferred toy as motivation.
4. Carryover & Next Steps
5 MIN
Remind the parent (mom) about the importance of consistent use at home. Provide all materials for home carryover.
Potty Power Up Presentation Slides
Potty Power-Up! 🌟
Ready for a New Skill? Let's learn how to use the toilet and become more independent!
Teacher Note: Welcome student with a positive, encouraging tone. Introduce the goal of superhero independence!
Your Potty Plan
What comes next?
- Go to the Bathroom
- Pull Down Pants
- Sit on Toilet (Set Timer!)
- Pee or Poop
- Wipe & Pull Up
- Wash Hands
- REWARD TIME! 🎉
Follow your personal
Visual Schedule!
Teacher Note: Point to each step on the slide and/or physical schedule. Highlight the reward at the end.
Earn Awesome Rewards! 🤩
The Rule:
1
Do a Potty Step =
Earn a Token!
2
Tokens =
Play with Balls or Toys!
⚽
Play with Balls!
✨
Cool Toys!
Teacher Note: Show tokens and preferred rewards. Reinforce: "First toilet, then play with ball!"
Tracking Triumphs! 📈
⭐
Every Try Counts!
Every time you try, we mark it on your tracker!
🌟
Special Stars!
Successes get a special star to celebrate!
⭐
⭐
🌟
📝
Teacher Note: Explain that every try is progress. Emphasize tracking as a celebration of hard work!
You Can Do It! 👍
Follow your Visual Schedule
Earn Amazing Rewards
We are here to help!
Let's Get Started!
Teacher Note: Summarize key points and end with encouragement. Address parent (if present) about consistency.
Potty Power Up Facilitator Script
Potty Power-Up! Script
This script provides clear, simple language and instructional cues to use during the initial training session. Maintain a calm, encouraging, and predictable tone throughout.
1. Introduction & Objectives (5 Minutes)
Show Slide 1: Potty Power-Up! 🌟
Teacher Action: Face the student, maintain eye contact if appropriate, and use an encouraging tone.
"Hi Student's Name! Today we are going to learn about something very important and exciting: using the toilet!"
"This is our Potty Power-Up! lesson. It's a new skill that will help you be more independent, just like a superhero!"
"Our goal is to learn the steps to use the toilet and understand how you can earn your favorite toys—like balls and cool gadgets—when you try your best! We'll use a special plan to help you."
2. Introducing the Visual Schedule (10 Minutes)
Show Slide 2: Your Potty Plan
Teacher Action: Hold up the actual Physical Visual Schedule. Point to each step as you speak.
"Look! This is your special Visual Schedule! It shows us all the steps for using the toilet. It's like a map! Let's look at it together."
"First, Go to the Bathroom."
"Then, Pull Down Pants."
"Next, Sit on Toilet. We will use our timer. When it goes off, it's time to get up."
"After that, Pee or Poop!"
"Then, Wipe."
"And Pull Up Pants."
"And Wash Hands—super important!"
"And the best part... REWARD TIME! You get to play with something you love!"
3. Rewards & Tracking (10 Minutes)
Show Slides 3 & 4: Rewards and Tracking
Teacher Action: Hold up the Reward Chart, a Token, and a preferred toy (e.g., a ball).
"Guess what? When you follow your Potty Plan, you get to earn awesome rewards!"
"Every time you do a step, or when you pee or poop in the toilet, you earn a Token!"
[Demonstrate placing a token on the chart]
"When you get enough tokens, you get to play with your favorite balls or those fun toys!"
"First toilet. Then, play!"
"We also have a special chart to see your progress. Every time you try, we put a sticker here. Successes get a BIG STAR!"
4. Next Steps (5 Minutes)
Show Slide 5: You Can Do It!
"This is a big step, and you are going to do great! We will keep using your schedule, and you will keep earning those rewards."
Teacher Action: If the student's mother is present, address her directly.
"Consistency is key. The more we use this same plan at home and at school, the faster Student's Name will learn this skill. I'll send all these home today!"
