At Peace Parents Podcast Ep. 145 - Toilet Training and Pathological Demand Avoidance - Part 3
Feb 10, 2026
Practical strategies for potty training children and teens who show demand avoidance. A candid training story that reveals why certain approaches worked. Ten specific tips focused on timing, sensory supports, autonomy, playfulness, and knowing when to pause.
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Wait For A Window Of Tolerance
- Pause toilet training if your child is in burnout or struggling with multiple basic needs.
- Build a window of tolerance first so skill learning doesn't push them into survival mode.
Four-Day Intensive That Worked
- Casey and her husband ran a 3–4 day intensive potty training for their son with undivided attention.
- They used observation, scooping him to the toilet, and made it playful rather than punitive.
Break Tasks And Give Focused Safety
- Separating daytime from nighttime and focusing on one component lowers complexity for neurodivergent kids.
- Intensive undivided attention signals nervous-system safety and enables learning.