Not Your Average Autism Mom

In this episode of our Best Of Summer Series, your host, Shannon Urquiola discusses processing speed and how it impacts our children on the autism spectrum. Processing speed is the time it takes for someone to take in information, make sense of it, and respond. This can be visual, auditory, or related to motor planning. For many of our children, processing speed can be a significant challenge. The...

In this "Best of Summer Series" episode, host Shannon Urquiola talks about the common challenge of perseveration in children on the autism spectrum. Perseveration, or getting stuck on a particular behavior, activity, or thought, can be a source of frustration for both parents and children. Shannon explores the reasons behind this phenomenon, emphasizing the weak executive functions in th...

In this episode of the Not Your Average Autism Mom podcast, Shannon talks about a topic that is often confusing and sometimes problematic, labels of "high functioning" and "low functioning" autism. She explains why these terms can be misleading and shares practical strategies for parents to support their children regardless of these labels. Shannon begins by encouraging parents...

In episode 189 of the Not Your Average Autism Mom podcast, Shannon tackles the challenging topic of explosive behavior as a form of escape behavior in children with autism. She explains why these behaviors often occur due to frustration, sensory overload, or discomfort and highlights the importance of understanding why your children feel the need to escape. Shannon shares practical strategies for...

In this episode of Not Your Average Autism Mom podcast, Shannon tackles a common challenge for many families raising children on the autism spectrum: going out in public. Feeling confined to the safety of home is a familiar struggle, but Shannon shares practical strategies to make outings not only possible but also enjoyable. Key topics include: Sensory Considerations: Use tools like iPods, fidget...

In this episode of the Not Your Average Autism Mom podcast, we're tackling the ups and downs of video gaming for children on the autism spectrum. Video games can be both a source of joy and frustration, providing excitement and a sense of control but also leading to emotional meltdowns when things don't go as planned. We dive into why video games are so appealing to autistic children and d...

Join host Shannon Urquiola on the Not Your Average Autism Mom podcast as she explores the theme of embracing the unexpected on the journey of autism parenting. Think of this episode as the encouragement and pep talk you need on a tough day. In this episode, Shannon shares her personal experiences and insights, from the initial fear and uncertainty of receiving her son's diagnosis to the unexpe...

In this episode of the Not Your Average Autism Mom podcast, Shannon talks about autistic meltdowns and shutdowns—two very different ways that kids on the autism spectrum might react when things get too overwhelming. She helps listeners spot the signs of each and understand what causes them. Shannon shares helpful ways to handle these tough situations, giving advice for both right when they happen...

In this episode of the Not Your Average Autism Mom podcast, Shannon gets passionate about building independence and ways you can begin teaching independence through everyday things. She discussed the importance of teaching life skills from early childhood through the teenage years, highlighting the potential consequences of neglecting this aspect. Throughout the episode, she shares practical strat...

In this episode of the Not Your Average Autism Mom podcast, host Shannon Urquiola explores the concept of acceptance in the context of parenting children on the autism spectrum. She discusses how accepting your child's diagnosis changes the trajectory of parenthood and reshapes the plans you once had. Then she shares the concept of secondary losses - the unforeseen shifts and changes that acco...

In Episode 182 of Not Your Average Autism Mom Podcast, we explore the complexities of sharing your child's autism diagnosis with others. This episode addresses the tough questions that arise as well as the conversations that may come up. Host Shannon Urquiola navigates the intricacies of disclosure, discussing when, why, and how parents should share this information with family, friends, and c...

In this episode of the Not Your Average Autism Mom Podcast, host, Shannon Urquiola goes pretty deep into the complex topic of impulse control in individuals with autism. Shannon provides valuable insights into understanding impulsivity and its impact on daily life for both children, parents, teachers, and caregivers. Exploring practical strategies, she discussed the importance of consistency, pati...

In this episode of the "Not Your Average Autism Mom Podcast," host Shannon Urquiola goes deep into the intricate world of autism processing, exploring the differences between intellectual and emotional realms. Listeners gain a deeper understanding of the cognitive differences between these two worlds, as Shannon expertly unpacks scenarios faced by autism moms and offers practical strateg...

In Episode 179 of the Not Your Average Autism Mom Podcast, host Shannon Urquiola dives into the world of understanding and addressing stressors for children on the autism spectrum. Shannon breaks down the seven common stressors faced by these children, including sensory challenges, level of interest, uncertainty, degree of control, performance demands, social demands, and length of time. She explo...

In episode 178 of the "Not Your Average Autism Mom Podcast," host Shannon Urquiola dives into the complexities of Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) within the autism spectrum. Shannon emphasizes why a specific PDA diagnosis isn't always paramount when autism is already in the picture. She walks listeners through common scenarios, parents, may encounter, offering practical strategie...

In this episode of the Not Your Average Autism Mom Podcast, your host, Shannon Urquiola is talking about the complex world of repeated questioning in our autistic children. As parents, we know firsthand the exhaustion and frustration that can come with hearing the same question over and over again. But why do our children engage in this behavior, and how can we lessen its impact on both them and y...

In this episode of the Not Your Average Autism Mom Podcast, host Shannon Urquiola digs into the complex world of socialization within the autism spectrum. Shannon explores the diverse social interests and preferences among autistic individuals, shedding light on the challenges they face in navigating social interactions while also emphasizing the beauty of their unique perspectives. Drawing from p...

In this episode of "Not Your Average Autism Mom" podcast, Shannon digs into the challenging world of self-injurious behaviors in children with autism. We explored the various forms these behaviors can take, from hand/arm biting to head banging, and discussed why they occur, often as a means of releasing stress chemicals when the nervous system becomes overwhelmed. Throughout the episode,...

In this episode, host Shannon Urquiola goes deep into the complex world of disciplining children on the autism spectrum. She begins by emphasizing the importance of setting clear boundaries and expectations for all children, particularly for those on the spectrum who may struggle with understanding unwritten social rules. She provides practical strategies for parents, such as using visual aids and...

In this episode of the Not Your Average Autism Mom Podcast, host Shannon Urquiola takes the wheel and guides you through the essential art of staying in control while parenting a child on the autism spectrum. Drawing on her expertise as a Life and Parent Coach exclusively for moms on this journey, Shannon explores the metaphorical road trip of autism parenting, emphasizing the importance of being...

In Episode 172 of the Not Your Average Autism Mom Podcast, host Shannon Urquiola talks about the challenges faced by individuals with autism on the journey to self-actualization. Inspired by her son Jordan, she explores the delicate balance of fitting in while ensuring our loved ones receive the dignity they deserve. In a world that may perceive them differently, finding this balance is necessary....

In this episode, host Shannon Urquiola goes deep into the often misunderstood challenges of self-initiation and sustained attention in autistic children. Acknowledging the frustration parents may feel when their child appears unmotivated, Shannon emphasizes the importance of understanding these difficulties as linked to executive functioning skills rather than attributing them to laziness. She pro...

In this episode, host Shannon Urquiola takes you on a journey into the world of routine mastery and skill-building for children on the spectrum. Shannon guides listeners through practical strategies to integrate new skills seamlessly into existing routines. Discover how to celebrate progress, reward success, and stay motivated in the face of setbacks. Uncover the secrets of being specific and real...

In this episode, Shannon explores the unique challenges our children on the spectrum face in understanding and navigating the social world. The episode sheds light on the difficulty some children have in predicting how others think or feel. Shannon provides practical strategies for parents to help their children develop these essential social skills. The goal is to help our children build the skil...

In Episode 168 of the Not Your Average Autism Mom Podcast, host Shannon Urquiola takes listeners on a fascinating journey into the intricate world of the autistic brain. The episode begins by unraveling the consequences of overload – impaired processing, deteriorating levels of cognition, and the accumulation of stress chemicals that lead to physical pain and panic. Communication becomes a challen...