Bye Bye Chocolate: Lucia's Potty Victory

Bye Bye Chocolate: Lucia's Potty Victory

When I started this journey with my daughter Lucia, I searched for books about potty training and autism. What I found, more often than not, were stories that felt heavy, negative, or too clinical. I wanted something different—something that showed the real journey: the challenges, yes, but also the laughter, the small wins—but to us, they were huge wins—and the deep love that surrounds our children every single day. Lucia is autistic and was nonverbal when we began potty training. She didn’t speak, and communication was tough—but she was always watching, learning, and showing me her world in ways I never expected. Some days were harder than others—there were meltdowns, frustration, and moments that pushed both of us. But those days taught me a lot. I learned how to slow down, how to truly listen, and how to meet Lucia where she was. And the good days? They’re amazing. Maybe even more so because of the hard ones. Lucia has a great sense of humor, and honestly, she keeps us laughing—even when nothing else makes sense. She’s taught me to let go of the timeline, celebrate progress in any form, and to never underestimate what our kids can do, especially when we meet them with patience, creativity, and love. But let me be honest, I fail constantly at patience. There are moments where my anger comes out, where I’m frustrated or exhausted. When that happens, I take five minutes, breathe, and then come back to her with more patience than I had before. I’m not perfect—this is my first time at life, and I’m just doing my best. This book isn’t a “how-to.” It’s just one family’s story, told with honesty and heart. Whether your child is autistic, speech delayed, nonverbal, or just not ready yet, I hope Lucia’s story brings you a little encouragement, a little guidance, and a whole lot of heart. Potty training might look different in our homes—but that doesn’t make it any less meaningful. In fact, it might just make it more beautiful. With love, Suzanne (Lucia’s Mommy) A Little About Lucia Lucia is a bright, loving, and curious little girl. She has autism, which means she experiences the world in her own unique way. She was nonverbal for a long time and used simple sign language to communicate with Mommy. When Lucia was two and a half, Mommy tried to start potty training. But Lucia wasn’t ready—she didn’t understand what the potty was for, and she had no way to let Mommy know when she needed to go. So we put it off. Mommy tried again when Lucia turned three, but it still wasn’t the right time. So we waited a little longer—and when Lucia was three and a half, we tried again. That’s where our story begins.