Not Your Average Autism Mom

Medication decisions are some of the hardest choices autism parents ever face — and they’re rarely simple. In this episode of the Not Your Average Autism Mom podcast , Shannon Urquiola takes a deep, honest dive into medication and autism, sharing both professional insight and decades of lived experience. This episode covers: Why medication does not treat autism — but may help treat co-existing cha...

How do you teach stranger danger to autistic kids — without creating fear? In this episode of the Not Your Average Autism Mom Podcast , Shannon Urquiola dives into a topic so many parents worry about but rarely feel confident navigating. Inspired by a question from a follower, Valencia Shannon , this episode explores what “stranger danger” really looks like for autistic children and why traditiona...

In this episode of the Not Your Average Autism Mom podcast , host Shannon Urquiola wraps up 2025 with a powerful conversation about what it really means to find your people when you’re raising an autistic child. Inspired by a request from a NYAAM member, Shannon shares real stories from her own journey with Jordan and Maddie and talks about why surface-level friendships aren’t enough in this life....

In this milestone 250th episode, Shannon sits down for one of the most honest, heartfelt conversations she’s ever had on the podcast — a conversation she  wishes  someone could have had with her 20 years ago. If you’ve ever wondered whether things will get better… If you’ve ever felt like you’re failing… If you’ve ever questioned your strength, your patience, or your progress… This episode is for...

— A Holiday Pep Talk If you’ve ever dreaded the question “What does he want for Christmas?” this episode is for you. In Episode 249 of the Not Your Average Autism Mom podcast, Shannon sits down for a heartfelt, honest conversation about gift-giving when your autistic child doesn’t like toys, doesn’t care about unwrapping presents, or doesn’t connect with gifts the way the world expects. In this ep...

In this episode of the Not Your Average Autism Mom podcast, host Shannon Urquiola continues her holiday series with a conversation every autism parent needs before the real chaos hits—what to do after you completely lose your lane. Because no matter how hard you work on staying calm, holding boundaries, and choosing your lane… there will still be moments where you snap, shut down, or say something...

This week, we’re continuing our holiday series with a conversation that every autism mom needs this time of year — learning how to stay in your lane when everything around you feels like chaos. In this episode, Shannon shares real-life holiday scenarios that trigger overwhelm — the change in school routines, sensory overload, family expectations, and well-meaning relatives who just don’t get it —...

As the holidays approach, you’re probably already feeling the shift — routines change, emotions run high, and suddenly you find yourself “choosing your battles” more than usual. But what if it’s not really about choosing battles at all? In this episode of the Not Your Average Autism Mom podcast, Shannon dives deep into what’s really happening when you decide whether to enforce a boundary or let it...

If you’ve ever found yourself snapping, shutting down, or spiraling after your child’s behavior, this episode will help you understand why. In this week’s episode, Shannon unpacks what’s  really  going on beneath those moments — when your nervous system takes over, your emotions run high, and you react before you can think. You’ll learn how three hidden triggers —  identity, social, and loss  — sh...

When your child says things that hurt—or acts out inways that feel personal—it’s easy to let those moments sink deep. You love them, you give everything you have, and hearing “I hate you!” or watching a meltdown unfold can break your heart. But what if those words and behaviors aren’t about youat all? In this episode of the Not Your Average Autism Mom podcast, host Shannon Urquiola shares how to s...

When your child is melting down, your instinct is to fix it. To solve it. To make it stop. But here’s the truth—before you can teach regulation, you have to model it. In this episode of the Not Your Average Autism Mom Podcast , Shannon dives deep into why emotional validation is the foundation for every behavioral strategy that actually works. She explains what “feelings first” really looks like i...

Advocating is part of everyday life when you’re raising a child on the autism spectrum — but it can also be exhausting. In this episode, Shannon shares how to manageyour energy so you can advocate effectively without burning out. Learn how to protect your peace, choose your battles wisely, and sustain your advocacy over the long haul. Shannon also recommends revisiting Episode 157, “Reframing Defe...

Life runs on rules—and our kids need practice learning them at home so they can navigate the real world with safety and confidence. In this episode, Shannon shares why rules aren’t harsh or unfair; they’re loving preparation. You’ll learn how to make expectations clear, follow through consistently, and use consequences that teach (not scare). Shannon opens up about Jordan’s electronics story—why s...

Pragmatic language is about more than just talking—it’s the invisible set of social rules that help conversations flow and relationships grow. For children on the spectrum, these skills can be tricky, but they’re also essential, especially as they move from elementary into middle school. In this episode of the Not Your Average Autism Mom podcast, Shannon explains what pragmatic language really mea...

In this episode of the Not Your Average Autism Mompodcast, Shannon Urquiola talks about the long game of independence and why the little skills your child learns today matter so much for their future. Letting go isn’t easy, but when you nurture their confidence through small, everyday moments, you’re laying the foundation for big freedoms later on. Shannon also unpacks the difference between paren...

Letting go is one of the hardest things we face as moms, and when you’re raising a child on the spectrum, it often feels impossible. In this episode, Shannon opens up about her own struggles with overprotection—why she did too much for too long, and how it actually stalled Jordan’s independence. She explains why stepping back, even when it feels uncomfortable, is one of the greatest gifts you can...

Struggle isn’t something most moms want to see theirkids go through — but what if I told you that safe struggles are one of the greatest gifts you can give your child? In this episode, I’m breaking down why stepping back(instead of swooping in) matters so much for kids on the spectrum. You’ll also hear a few Jordan stories that show how these lessons play out in real life. If you’ve been caught in...

In this special Listener Q & A episode, Shannon answers real questions from moms, a grandmother, a para, and even a special education teacher. From after-school meltdowns and silent shutdowns to IEP meetings, repetitive questions, friendships, independence, and handling judgment in public — these are the real struggles happening in homes just like yours. You’ll hear practical strategies, the e...

Bullying is a fear every parent carries — but for thoseof us raising children on the autism spectrum, there’s a deeper layer. What if it happens… and they can’t tell us? In this episode, I’m talking about why our kids are morevulnerable to bullying, the signs you might see (especially if your child is non-speaking, minimally verbal, or non-communicative), and how to move from that gut-punch emotio...

In this episode, Shannon breaks down why “just stay calm” is one of the most misleading pieces of advice parents of autistic children hear—and what to focus on instead. Calm and regulation are not the same thing, and confusing them can leave you feeling like you’re failing. Shannon explains how kids pick up instantly when your words and your body don’t match, why chasing calm can backfire, and how...

We’re back—and this time, we’re on video too! In this first brand-new episode since our Best Of Summer Series, Shannon shares her best advice for heading into a new school year when your child has an IEP. From prompting to paperwork to parent rights, this episode breaks down the 5 Big Back-to-School IEP Buckets every autism parent should understand. Plus, you’ll hear common misconceptions that tri...

BEST OF SUMMER SERIES FINALE 🌞 Back-to-school is here… and with it comes big decisions. Does inclusion really work for my child? What if it’s too much—or not enough? How do I even know what’s best ? This final episode in our Best of Summer series is one you don’t want to miss . Why? Because inclusion isn’t one-size-fits-all, and this conversation will help you figure out what’s right for YOUR chi...

Ever notice how even the smallest change can lead to a big meltdown? Like you changed the order of errands… or dinner was late… or a visitor dropped by unexpectedly. It’s not “just behavior.” For our kids, unpredictability can feel like the ground is shifting under their feet. In this episode, I talk about why uncertainty is so hard for our kids—and how we can help them feel more secure when routi...

In this BEST OF SUMMER series re-release, we tackle the complex and often puzzling topic of regression in autism. Summer is the perfect time to revisit this topic. Regression can be a challenging part of the autism journey, where children may lose skills they previously had acquired, such as language, social abilities, or motor functions. Join us as we explore what regression looks like, share rea...

In this powerful re-release from our BEST OF SUMMER series, Shannon brings back one of the most heartfelt and relatable episodes for moms navigating a new autism diagnosis. She explores why so many parents are scared to say the word autism out loud, the weight of the label, and the emotional experience of explaining the diagnosis to others. Through real-life scenarios and honest encouragement, Sha...