Not Your Average Autism Mom

In this episode, I talk about the many reasons a child may bite, and trust me there are many.  I give you things to ask yourself and to consider when you are trying to figure out why they are biting.   I share with you techniques and strategies for you to use and try as you become focused,  consistent, and persistent in getting past this very difficult behavior.  

In this episode, I talk about some things that are kind of off the beaten path of our journey and not always addressed so you may not realize some of them and how they might impact your child every day.   Things like face-blindness and tone of voice just to name a couple of them.  

In this episode, I discuss all of the different ways that you can begin to include and teach your child to be more independent in everyday living skills.  I encourage you to start now and don't wait.  To start a journal of what you "do" for them each day and then decide which things you can begin to include them in each and every day.  Doing this will not only help their executive f...

In this episode, I talk about the advantages and disadvantages to both options. There are no clear choices, it is solely a family decision. The question becomes what setting would be more beneficial to your child where they are right now based on what their immediate need is. Making that a priority will ultimately determine which option is best suited for them at this time.

In this episode, I talk about the steps to correcting negative behaviors, goals of consequences and giving choices when saying no to non-preferred activities is their "go-to".   You don't have to accept no for an answer if you don't give them that option and it makes everything easier along the way.  

In today's episode, I talk about what an Individual Education Plan (IEP) is, who develops it, and what it must include according to special education law.  Additionally, I discuss the importance of what a Present Level Statement is and what it should include so that the IEP is appropriately written to outline the student's special education needs.  

One of the biggest concerns of moms like you and me is our child's lack of impulse control.   In this episode, I talk about what that looks like and how it might be impacting you and your family and strategies to use to practice this skill.  It will be an ongoing process of practice over and over for years to come and the earlier you start the better the outcome will be.   It isn't...

In this episode, I address many of the ways that make parenting an Autistic child different than parenting a "typical" child.  I talk about judgment from other moms and things that you should be thinking about and doing differently when parenting your child with Autism. I also share encouragement to know that what you are doing is enough.  

Today I talk about the fact that Autism is not a "lifestyle" despite the fact that many adults are self-diagnosing themselves as Autistic based on their individual traits.  I also dive into a diagnosis and what it all means and the emotions that go along with it.  

In this episode, I dive into what stimming means, what it is,  why they do it and strategies that you can use to address it.   Believe it or not, we ALL stim, in one way or another, it is not exclusive to Autistic individuals.   There are 6 different types of Stimming that I review in detail and I also talk about things that you can try to diminish the stimming depending on which ty...

In this episode, I talk about giving yourself the opportunity to research and try supplements that may be beneficial for your child. Be open to the possibilities. Research suggests that many children with Autism have reduced immune system regulation.  I share with you our personal experiences with supplements and talk about some uncomfortable things that I don't talk openly about in the outsi...

In this episode, I talk about making HARD decisions.  Some of you are making decisions on the upcoming school year, those are difficult decisions.  I give suggestions on things to do while you are at home to keep some sort of normalcy and also creating new routines.  We know this time brings new challenges, but I want you to also let it bring new opportunities.   You will make...

This episode is all about autism and siblings.  I talk about the important needs of siblings and give you some suggestions on how to address them.  You have to talk to them, ask them questions, and be prepared to help them understand how Autism impacts their brother or sister and ultimately your entire family.   There are many positive skills learned by being a sibling of an individ...

In this episode, I talk about the things that are the most important for you and your child to focus on when you get the diagnosis.  I provide you tips and ideas and suggestions on sharing it with your family members and loved ones.  You have to process ALL of your emotions and you need to know what you are feeling is 100% ok, it is completely normal.   Autism is not going away, it...

In this episode, I talk about letting your child write their own story instead of you believing yours.  Getting an Autism diagnosis does not change who your child is.  They are not all of a sudden a different child but sometimes, we get so caught up in the diagnosis that we forget that.  We oftentimes spend WAY too much time reflecting back to life before the diagnosis and what migh...

In this episode, I talk all about the risks associated with too much screen time for our kids with Autism.  Things that you need to know that I didn't know until what I think was way too late in our journey.  I walk you through the benefits that I personally have experienced in our home from limiting screen time for my son and give you ideas and suggestions on taking those steps in your...

In this episode I talk about what is vitally important for you to create if your child is at risk for eloping, running or wandering.  I give you some ideas and resources and suggestions around home and school.  I also discuss what I believe is necessary at a Federal level for our children and adults with Autism.  You will hear me talk about my feelings on people judging our parentin...

In today's episode, I discuss "uncertain time" and "new normal" and the things that you absolutely need to do to keep your sanity through all of this. You have to work with the things that you can control.  You have to make choices and decisions for what you and your family need during this time.  I also talk about making time for YOU away from being Mom.  Giving yourself the time a...

In this episode, I share a couple personal stories about the different things we have to do in our house that the "typical" non-Autism house would not understand.  I talk about realizing that I was going to have to figure out how to take away his opportunities to stress me out.  This was an ah-ha moment for me.   There are things that you are going to have to figure out in your jour...

In this episode, we talk about the challenges of physical distancing during holidays and share some ideas and suggestions on what to do and not do during these times.  I discuss celebrating successes and knowing that change does happen, having HOPE and things you can do so that you will be celebrating success on the other side of this Covid quarantine.  

This episode highlights some of the most important things that I have learned along the way that really helped us throughout our Autism journey. These things helped mold us into who we are today as a family.  I share my proudest "MOM Moment" to date, yes, I am being sarcastic! I am hopeful, some of these things will resonate with you and that they just might help you too.

WELCOME to Not Your Average Autism Mom. We are helping families navigate this unique autism parenting journey we are all on.  (Video episodes available beginning at episode 233.) I look forward to spending some time with you every Thursday, usually just 20 minutes or less. Be sure to hit that subscribe button and if you find yourself coming back week after week and you are enjoying our content, pl...