Not Your Average Autism Mom

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...

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? ...