The Autism Mom’s Potty Talk Podcast

Your child goes every time you take them. No more diapers. You’re reminding them every two or three hours and they’re keeping their pants dry. You did it, right?
Not yet.
In this episode, I’m talking about the stage where most parents get comfortable—and stuck. That in-between place where your child will use the toilet when prompted, but they’re not going on their own. I call it prompt dependence, and it’s where so many families park themselves because they’re scared of losing the progress they worked so hard to get.
I get it. You spent years in diapers. You finally got them going. Now I’m asking you to shake the tree again? Yes. Because true potty training independence isn’t your child going when YOU tell them to—it’s them feeling nature call and answering it themselves.
I’m breaking down why parents get stuck here, what’s really driving the fear of “regression,” and how to widen the window so your child can start hearing their own body instead of waiting for your voice.

In This Episode:
The difference between going on command and true independence
Why the autism community’s fear of regression keeps parents stuck
What “widen the window” means and how to do it
How to handle accidents during this stage without losing progress
Why your child won’t start from zero if they regress—and the science behind that
The mindset shift that changes everything: “I created this result, so I can create it again”
Key Takeaways:
If you’re reminding your child every 2-3 hours and they’re going, that’s a win—but it’s not the finish line.
There are two voices that can tell your child when to go: your external voice and their body’s internal voice. They’ve learned to listen to yours. Now they need the opportunity to hear theirs.
Regression isn’t death. When you get back on the horse, you don’t start at zero—you start just a little before where you were and pick up quickly.
Your survival brain and your child are both going to fight for comfort. Your higher brain knows what’s possible.
You didn’t get this far by accident. You worked for it. That means you can get it back—and go further.
Quotables:
“We didn’t have babies just to live survival lives. We had babies to teach them to thrive.”
“True independence is when the child feels their body needing to go, and they go release on their own.”
“If I created that result, I can create it again. It didn’t just happen to me. It wasn’t magic potty pixie dust.”
“Every up-level is shaking your tree. It’s going to be uncomfortable. Your brain’s going to tell you all the reasons not to mess things up. That’s not the life you signed up to live.”

In this raw episode, I'm sharing the tension between helping families publicly and protecting privacy. Why I'm still doing this work, and the transformation that's possible when you believe in your child. From preverbal to thriving – this is the hope you need to hear.

Parents often worry that if they introduce signs, PECS, or an AAC device, their child will “never talk.” In this episode I share Julianna’s story—how she lost language, how we taught functional communication with signs, and why that actually accelerated her spoken words. I unpack what changed for her brain, her motivation, and our relationship, and I cite research showing AAC does not block speech and can increase it.
Key Takeaways
AAC (signs, PECS, devices) gives a child a reliable voice now, reducing frustration and building the language foundation that supports speech later.
High-quality studies show AAC does not delay speech. Many children make gains in spoken language once they can communicate successfully.
PubMed+1
The “unlock” isn’t only mechanical. It is social and motivational. For Julianna, the first sign proved she understood us, pulled her out of her private world to find us, and created pride and belonging—fuel to work for speech.
How To Start (Practical Steps For Parents)
Pair a respectful AAC option (signs, PECS, or SGD) with natural routines and powerful motivators.
Model language. Speak to your child as you normally would while honoring their sign/picture/button presses as real communication.
Keep AAC available everywhere. Success breeds more attempts.
If one system isn’t a fit (e.g., card-stimming), pivot—signs or a device may reduce competing sensory pull.
Involve your SLP/BCBA to individualize and to target functional requests first.
Resources Mentioned
Kasari Communication Intervention with SGDs (JAACAP RCT, 2014).
PubMed
Schlosser & Wendt Systematic Review (2008).
PubMed
Millar, Light, & Schlosser Meta-analysis (2006).
PubMed
Flippin, Reszka, & Watson PECS Meta-analysis (2010).
PubMed
Ganz et al. AAC Meta-analysis (2014).
PubMed
AAP: “Beyond Spoken Words: AAC for Kids” (myth-busting).

In this episode, Michelle Rogers shares the powerful story of a mom who’s ready to “fight the good fight” after insurance denied her autistic daughter’s speech therapy — and how that same fight can quietly steal what matters most: our child’s progress.
Michelle unpacks the emotional trap so many autism parents fall into — battling systems that aren’t invested in their child’s outcome — while their child sits waiting to be taught. With her signature blend of compassion and tough love, Michelle reveals how redirecting that same fire inward can change everything.
If you’ve ever found yourself exhausted by advocacy, overwhelmed by denials, or feeling like the system doesn’t care, this episode will reframe everything. You’ll walk away ready to take radical responsibility, become your child’s best teacher, and fight the real good fight — the one that leads to independence.
🎧 Listen now to discover:
Why not every battle is worth fighting
How the brain avoids pain by focusing on external fights
What “radical responsibility” really looks like in autism parenting
How Michelle taught her own daughter to communicate without speech therapy
The question every parent should ask before going to war for services
👉 Ready to stop fighting the wrong battles and start creating real results?
 Book a free Decision-Making Call at michellebrogers.com

🎙️ Episode 58: The Messiness of Autism Parenting
Let’s get honest.
Autism parenting isn’t just hard because of the meltdowns, regressions, or therapies. It’s hard because it’s messy—emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the inner chaos that so many of us carry but never say out loud. From the guilt of not doing enough, to the shame of secretly comparing your child to others, to the overwhelm of holding everything together while silently falling apart.
If you’ve ever felt like you're drowning in the emotional load of autism parenting... this one’s for you.
I’m not here to sugarcoat it. I’m here to help you feel seen—and to remind you that you can lead your family through this, even when it feels impossibly messy.
Listen now and give yourself permission to feel, release, and reset.