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.

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.

In this episode of Autism Mommy’s Potty Talk, Michelle sits down with Rebecca—a mom who had tried to potty train her pre-verbal son four different times… with zero success. But everything changed when she joined the program. Rebecca shares how her son went from aggressive and frustrated to potty trained, making sounds, and finally feeling happy. She opens up about the emotional toll, how mindset work with our coach Stella shifted everything, and how using an iPad as a reinforcer (the right way) made all the difference. If you’ve been stuck in survival mode, feeling like nothing will work for your child… this is the story you need to hear. 🎧 Tune in to hear how real progress happens—and how fast it can happen when parents are fully supported.

In this fiery, deeply personal episode, Michelle tackles a growing trend in the autism parenting community: the rise of labels like “profound autism” and the quiet acceptance of helplessness that often comes with them. Sparked by a viral reel of a crying child using his AAC device to say “I’m sad,” Michelle shares why she doesn’t see tragedy — she sees potential. She challenges the narrative that emotional expression from non-speaking children is mysterious or unreachable, and breaks down how belief, curiosity, and consistency can change everything. If you’ve ever felt stuck.  If you’ve ever felt like giving up.  If you’ve been told, “this is just how it is”... This episode is your reminder:  Your child is not their label.  You are not powerless.  And this is not where your story ends. 👉 Ready to start the work? Watch Michelle’s free 10-minute video training: https://michellebrogers.com/training

In Episode 55 of the Autism Mom’s Potty Talk Podcast, Michelle tackles one of the hardest conversations yet: the blame game around autism. With the recent announcement linking Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism, many parents are left reeling with guilt, shame, and painful “what ifs.” Michelle shares her own raw story—Tylenol during pregnancy, vaccines, even doctors blaming her weight—and the moment she realized: you can’t unring the bell. What matters is not what caused autism, but what we do today to help our kids. This episode is about shifting from guilt to action, from “what if” to “what’s next,” and focusing on teaching life-changing skills like potty training, communication, and independence. 🎧 Tune in now to get grounded, find hope, and remember that your child’s future isn’t determined by the past—it’s built by what you do today.

What if you were only one step away from potty training success, but your brain was telling you to quit? In Episode 54 of the Autism Mom’s Potty Talk Podcast, Michelle shares a powerful success story of a grandmother who nearly gave up when potty training her grandson with autism felt impossible. Pee training came quickly, but poop training turned into weeks of frustration, daycare accidents, and moments of doubt. Through coaching, mindset shifts, and a customized strategy, everything changed—and now he’s fully potty trained. This episode is about more than just potty training. It’s about the fight every autism parent faces between quitting when it feels too hard versus pushing through to the win that’s waiting on the other side. 🎧 Listen in to hear how setbacks turn into breakthroughs, and why the finish line is often closer than you think.

In Episode 53 of the Autism Mom’s Potty Talk Podcast, Michelle shares inspiring “Next Level Wins” that show what’s possible once the Big 3—potty training, communication, and stopping problem behaviors—are mastered.  From orthodontist visits to varsity sports to self-advocacy, these milestones are living proof that the hard work pays off.  If you’ve ever wondered what’s waiting for your child on the other side of the daily struggles, this episode will give you hope, motivation, and a clear vision of what’s possible for your family. 🎧 Tune in now and get inspired to take the next step toward your child’s independence!

This week on the podcast I asked a question that might sting a little: How are you benefiting by keeping your autistic child in diapers? I know your gut reaction might be “I’m not benefiting, Michelle! I want my child out of diapers.” But here’s the thing—every family I’ve coached has blind spots. Diapers end up “helping” in ways you don’t even notice: Less mess to clean up No battles at the toilet No risk of failing if you don’t even try None of those make you a bad parent. They just make you human. But as long as diapers are secretly serving you, they’ll keep winning. That’s why I shared two coaching stories on the podcast this week—about a little girl escaping sliding glass doors and a little boy who always managed to pee in the hallway.  Both parents thought their child “didn’t understand.” But once they saw the real problem, progress finally happened. If you’ve been feeling stuck, I want you to hear this episode. It might just be the mirror you need.

Too many parents (and even professionals) believe autism automatically means diapers. In this episode, I unpack why that belief is the biggest roadblock to potty training. You’ll hear why 95% of success is mindset and only 5% is tactics, how comfort vs. discomfort drives your child’s choices, and why YOU—not the therapists—are the expert in your child’s independence. 👉 Want my help walking you through the A to Z of potty training? Join me live for the Back-to-School Autism Potty Power Bootcamp. It’s just $27, and you’ll get coaching, a personalized blueprint, and my brand-new Quick Start Guide. Sign up at https://michellebrogers.com/potty/

Are you really working on potty training and independence skills—or just keeping yourself “busy”? In this milestone 50th episode, I get real about the two types of parents I see: The busy being busy parents who spend hours searching, planning, and second-guessing… but never take consistent action. The get it done parents who roll up their sleeves, commit to a plan, and make progress—even when it’s messy. I share stories from real families, my own journey with Julianna, and why belief (not just tactics) is the key to moving your child forward. If you’ve been stuck waiting for the “perfect time” or chasing the “secret tip,” this episode is your wake-up call. 🎧 Listen now to learn how to stop spinning your wheels and start creating real results for your child.

In this episode, Michelle shares why sometimes we have to go first—even when there’s no roadmap. From her own journey with Julianna to coaching parents who thought their child was the “exception to the rule,” Michelle shows how belief and action create breakthroughs. She also opens applications for the very first Autism Parent Coach Certification, inviting parents who feel the pull to step up and lead other families.

In this episode, Michelle breaks down a raw and honest conversation with a mom who's stuck in the final stretch of potty training. Her son is bright, verbal, and capable—but mom's hesitation is what's holding them back. Michelle shares exactly why your child may not feel urgency to change, how to reframe your role as the decision-maker, and what it really takes to push past the “stuck” stage. If you’ve ever thought, “Maybe it’s just not the right time,” you need this episode. 

What do you do when people criticize your parenting—even after your child starts thriving? In this episode, I share the story of a UK mom inside my program who taught her son to ask for what he wants using his voice. But instead of getting praise, she was met with judgment from her family and even her school—accusing her of being “too strict” or “withholding.” If you’ve ever felt unsupported or misunderstood for doing what actually works for your autistic child… this episode is your reminder that you’re not crazy—and you’re not alone. We talk about: What to do when “nice” people start questioning your parenting Why having boundaries with family is a form of protection How to keep going even when others don’t believe in your child Why real progress doesn’t need to be crowd-approved You don’t need permission to parent boldly. You need results. And I’m here to help you get them.

Think it’s “too late” to teach your child with autism how to potty train, communicate, or follow directions? Think again. In this live coaching session, Michelle calls out the quiet lies that keep parents stuck — and breaks down exactly how to rebuild belief, rewire habits, and create momentum even when your child is older or progress feels stalled. If you've ever felt behind, this episode is your permission slip to throw that guilt out and get to work. 

In this special live coaching episode, Michelle B. Rogers gets real with parents who are stuck in the start-stop cycle of potty training. She breaks down the true reasons progress stalls—and it’s not what most parents think. From mindset blocks and survival brain chatter to how belief fuels consistency, Michelle unpacks the five steps to real potty success and calls out the hard truths (with love). If you’ve been waiting for the “perfect time,” this is the wake-up call you need.

Hey there, It’s Michelle here, and I’m excited to invite you to a special encore presentation in podcast form! This time, I'm bringing you something truly impactful: The Autism Moms Problem Behavior Workshop. This workshop resonated deeply with parents last month, and I believe it’s going to do the same for you. Here’s why: Many of us are on a mission to solve the problem behaviors our children with autism might exhibit – whether it’s running away, self-injury, aggression, or even unique behaviors like licking hands. While these symptoms demand attention, focusing solely on them can leave the real cause unaddressed. In this episode, I take a deep dive into what lies beneath these behaviors and offer strategies to solve the cause – not just manage the symptoms. It’s a game-changing perspective that empowered many parents who joined me live. I’d love for you to hear it too. Can’t wait for you to listen and share your thoughts! Warmly, Michelle P.S. If you have questions about managing problem behaviors in your child with autism, feel free to reply! I’m here to help.

Hey there, I’m excited to invite you to the latest episode of my podcast, Silent to Speaking: Open Coaching Call. In this episode, I’ll be answering real questions from autism parents just like you who are working to help their kids start communicating. Whether your child is nonverbal or speaking minimally, this episode will give you valuable insights to move forward. Tune in to learn more about how to support your child's communication journey!

I recently had a conversation with a mom that really made me think about how many parents feel like potty training their autistic child is optional. But here’s the truth: It’s not. We can’t let the autism diagnosis make us believe this is something we can skip or push off. Potty training is essential, not only for your child’s independence but for your family’s daily life. In this episode, I share why it’s crucial to stop seeing potty training as a “nice-to-have” and start treating it like the necessity it is—just like water. No matter how hard it may seem, I’m here to tell you it can be done, and you don’t have to do it alone. You’ll also hear about how I’ve helped thousands of families, just like yours, navigate this journey—and why the result is worth every disruption. P.S. If you’re ready to finally take this step, let’s chat. I’d love to help you get your child potty trained once and for all. Talk soon, Michelle