Not Your Average Autism Mom

In this episode, we get into one of the most common challenges faced by parents of children with autism: sleep disruptions. Join host Shannon Urquiola as she provides a comprehensive guide to understanding the intricate relationship between autism and sleep, along with practical tips and strategies to improve your child's sleep and overall well-being. She explores the impact of sleep disruptio...

In this empowering episode of Not Your Average Autism Mom Podcast, host Shannon Urquiola explores a crucial topic: the journey to understand and appreciate the unique neurology of individuals on the autism spectrum. Inspired by a thought-provoking article titled "Be True to Their Neurology," Shannon discusses the pitfalls of trying to mold individuals with autism into neurotypical expect...

In Episode 166 of the Not Your Average Autism Mom Podcast, host Shannon Urquiola delves into 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 functio...

Join your host, Shannon Urquiola for a transformative journey in this episode of the Not Your Average Autism Mom Podcast. Shannon dives into the powerful concept of saying "I don't know" in the realm of parenting children on the autism spectrum. Discover how uncertainty can be your greatest ally, propelling you toward growth and confidence. From navigating new and daunting situations...

Parenthood, often described as a rollercoaster of emotions, takes a unique turn when partners find themselves on opposite ends of the parenting spectrum. Are your differences in parenting currently a source of negativity and conflict in your relationship? In this episode, host Shannon Urquiola, Life and Parent Coach explores the intricate dynamics parents face when raising autistic children, parti...

In this episode, Life and Parent Coach Shannon Urquiola provides a comprehensive guide for moms raising children on the autism spectrum, offering strategies to navigate the holiday season with less stress, anxiety, and frustration. She explores the power of preparation, emphasizing the importance of visualizing events and creating detailed plans to anticipate challenges. She also highlights the si...

In this episode of the Not Your Average Autism Mom Podcast, host Shannon Urquiola explores the topic of talking about your children on the spectrum with others. She shares her emotional journey, acknowledging moments of sadness and discouragement but also emphasizing a sense of hope and belief in possibilities. Shannon encourages using positive language when describing children with autism, opting...

In this episode of Not Your Average Autism Mom Podcast, your host, Shannon Urquiola talks all about emotional resilience for parents raising children on the autism spectrum. She discussed the significance of emotional resilience, emphasizing that it's not a fixed trait but a skill that can be cultivated over time. She also explored specific scenarios where you can gain resilience, from managin...

In this special Thanksgiving episode of the "Not Your Average Autism Mom Podcast," we are taking a break from the regular format to share a message from your host, Shannon Urquiola. As we approach the holiday season, Shannon wants to remind all her incredible listeners that there's no right way to celebrate. She encourages you to embrace your family's uniqueness and celebrate the...

We know for many families, the holidays and travel can be a source of joy, but for families like yours and mine it also presents unique challenges when you're raising a child on the autism spectrum. Traveling during the holidays can be a sensory overload for our kids right? The unfamiliar environments, crowded airports, and even family gatherings can be overwhelming. I've experienced this...

In this episode, Shannon focuses on unique challenges and effective strategies for teaching personal hygiene skills to children on the autism spectrum. Exploring the hurdles faced by children with autism, such as fine motor skill deficits, sensory issues, and more, she provides a comprehensive guide for parents and caregivers. She discusses the importance of creating daily routines, using visual s...

Raising a child on the autism spectrum is not a linear journey and it’s by far, not easy.  I think that one of the most challenging aspects of raising a child on the autism spectrum is the constant search for what works. It's a topic that many of us have faced and continue to wrestle with – those moments when we feel like we're on the edge when the challenges of raising a child on the spec...

In this episode, I'm talking about the impact of electronics on our kids and how they can become addicted to screens.  It's a subject that hits close to home for me, and I believe it's one of the most critical issues we face as parents and caregivers. I’m sure that you’ve questioned the impact of social media, YouTube videos, and video games on your child’s overall well-being, right? ...

Join me as I chat behind the scenes with real moms just like you who are raising children on the spectrum and finding balance and happiness along the way! These women are MY VILLAGE as much as I am theirs. Each of their stories is different, yet similar. You might just hear your story in theirs. They were drowning and felt overwhelmed and since becoming Not Your Average Autism Mom they are becomin...

The path of being an autism mom is a unique and often challenging one. It's a journey that begins with a diagnosis, then often becoming consumed with confusion, fear, and uncertainty. Many of us start this journey feeling overwhelmed by the unknown that lies ahead. We fear the unknown. We fear for our child's future, their well-being, and our ability to navigate this complex world we weren...

My goal in every podcast is to share things that will help make your day-to day mom life a little easier and if you want to go deeper and work more closely with me, I invite you to consider joining our NYAAM PRIVATE Membership.  Why Do After-School Meltdowns Happen?  Imagine your child was an absolute star at school, but as soon as they get home, it feels like all heck breaks loose. You're not...

Asking "Why" is a natural response to life's challenges, a way to make sense of our experiences. But there are a few reasons why asking "Why" may not be as helpful as we think.  Asking why is really just us searching for insight, right?  We are trying to make sense of what we think are our negative experiences in life. But here's the thing - we can't always know or...

Individuals on the spectrum have what we can describe as different brain wiring. Their neurological connections between various brain centers are not as strong, which makes it challenging for them to process multiple pieces of information rapidly. This can make navigating our fast-paced world incredibly exhausting and difficult for them. Neurotypical people like you and me can effortlessly filter...

Today's episode is one that hits close to home for me. We're going to talk about maintaining relationships successfully while raising autistic children. As a Master Certified Life and Parent Coach, I've made it my mission to help families like yours navigate these challenging waters and I'm also here to tell you that it's possible to thrive as a couple and as parents raising au...

Today's episode is all about a topic that's near and dear to my heart - the guilt that often accompanies us on this incredible journey of parenting that we weren’t prepared for. When you are parenting a child with autism, this journey may take on unique dimensions. Guilt tends to creep in when we dwell on our perceived shortcomings. It can manifest in various ways: We all make mistakes, bu...

It's remarkable how our journey evolves over time.  Every moment you're navigating, every lesson you're learning, it's all building a foundation of skills and resilience that you'll carry forward as your child grows. With each new challenge, you'll be able to lean on the expertise you're cultivating right now.  Even though Jordan is older now, I vividly recall those ear...

Every week I talk about topics that directly impact your life along this parenting journey and today, I’m talking about a fascinating topic that many parents and caregivers encounter on their journey: verbal stimming . Verbal Stimming is a behavior that many autistic children will do.  It's like a window into your child's world, helping them cope with various situations and even express th...

Our journey begins with an autism diagnosis, a diagnosis that flooded you with a wave of emotions and the weight of uncertainty like you’ve never experienced before.  And then as you begin to navigate all the uncertainty, you're told that "one day," your children will overcome their challenges and live lives similar to their neurotypical peers. But what happens when that "one da...

Raising a child on the autism spectrum presents unique challenges that can be difficult to grasp for those who haven't experienced it firsthand.    I really believe that the difficulties we face out in the world often stem from a lack of understanding about autism. I hope that by increasing awareness and embracing inclusivity, together we can bridge the gap and create a more supportive and und...

As the new school year begins, I know many of you may be feeling a mix of emotions - excitement, anxiety, and maybe for some of you, a bit of sadness as summer comes to an end. For our children on the spectrum, this transition can be particularly challenging. Open communication and collaboration with your child's school team will pave the way for your child's success. Communicating with yo...