If you’ve found your way to this page, you’ve probably already tried everything. Therapists. Doctors. Books. Blogs. Advice from family and friends. Reward charts. Different potty seats. Maybe you’ve even started wondering if your child will ever get there.
I potty trained my son at 7 years old, just two months before his 8th birthday.
I want you to know one thing first:
You are not alone, and your child can get there.
I know the exhaustion, the frustration, the tears, and the feeling of helplessness that can come with potty training a child with high-functioning autism. I’ve experienced the setbacks, the failed attempts, and the moments when I questioned whether we would ever reach this milestone.
Today, I’m sharing our story because I remember desperately searching for someone who had been through the same journey. I wanted hope from a parent who truly understood. My hope is that our experience can provide that same encouragement for you.
For reference, my son is diagnosed with high-functioning autism. He is highly verbal, incredibly bright, and has always amazed us with his intelligence. While communication was a strength, social skills took longer to develop and really began emerging around second grade. Potty training, however, remained one of our biggest challenges.
Every child with autism is unique, and there isn’t a single method that works for everyone. What finally worked for us came after years of learning, adapting, failing, and trying again.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed today, please don’t give up. Progress may come later than you expected, but later does not mean never.
High-Functioning Autism Potty Training 