Some children have lower liquid and fiber intake due to a restricted diet, which can make constipation more likely. Both during potty training and after, add more fiber-rich foods to your child’s diet to make constipation less likely of an issue. Many children with autism have gastrointestinal issues, so make sure your doctor evaluates your child before beginning potty training, as GI issues could make the process more complicated. It’s also common for children to do “fecal smearing.” This occurs for a variety of reasons, but is not uncommon. Your child may have intense discomfort if they are holding their bowel movement, and then choose to release their bowel movement in a place other than a toilet. They may also enjoy the sensory experience of touching fecal matter, or they may want attention. Take note of their behavior before and after fecal smearing occurs, and work to praise instances they do not continue that behavior to prevent it from recurring.