Shows / Not Your Average Autism Mom
Not Your Average Autism Mom
This podcast was started for parents and caregivers raising autistic children, but has evolved, and we have listeners across the world who are relatives of someone with autism, special education teachers, and other professionals. My son Jordan was diagnosed with autism when he was 5 years old, now 30. I have been where you are. Jordan will likely never live independently. I am in the trenches every day, just like you. Each week, for 20 minutes or less (most episodes), I discuss topics that…
Episodes
Not Your Average Autism Mom281. When the Developmental Gap Gets Harder to Ignore
Your child knows every dinosaur but struggles to ask for help. They’re learning new things, yet the differences between them and other children their age are…
Not Your Average Autism Mom280. Autism Parenting: The Feelings You Don’t Always Say Out Loud
You love your children. And sometimes, you wish this life were easier. You want to go places, take the pictures, and make family memories. But sometimes, being…
Not Your Average Autism Mom279. We Had This Figured Out: Understanding Your Autistic Child’s Changing Needs
“We already figured this out. Why is this hard again?”Your morning routine was working. Your child loved going to the library. They could get dressed without…
Not Your Average Autism Mom278. When Plans Change: Helping Your Autistic Children Handle Disappointment.
A canceled outing. A favorite food that isn’t available. A friend who can’t come over. You see another option—but your child is still focused on the plan that…
Not Your Average Autism Mom277. Autism and Friendship: Is Your Child Lonely or Are You Worried They Will Be?
Does your autistic child need more friends—or are you worried because their friendships don’t look the way you imagined? In this episode, Shannon talks…
Not Your Average Autism Mom276. When Your Child Is Afraid to Get It Wrong: Understanding Performance Anxiety
Your child knows the answer but won’t say it. They’ve completed the task before, but suddenly insist, “I can’t.” They refuse to begin, ask you to do it for…
Not Your Average Autism Mom275. Autistic Shutdown: When Your Child’s Struggle Gets Quiet
A child who is screaming, crying, or falling apart is clearly struggling. But what happens when an autistic child’s response to overwhelm becomes quiet?…
Not Your Average Autism Mom274. Impulsive or Oppositional? Why Knowing Better Doesn’t Always Mean Doing Better
Your child knows the rule. You’ve explained it, practiced it, reminded them—and they may even be able to tell you exactly what they’re supposed to do. So why…
Not Your Average Autism Mom273. Before You Ask Again: Give Them Time to Process
You ask your child a question. You wait a beat. Then you ask again, explain it differently, or add another direction. But what if your child is still…
Not Your Average Autism MomBEST OF Summer Series - Back to School Pep Talk
☀️ BEST of Summer Series This episode is part of our BEST of Summer Series, where I'm revisiting some of the most impactful, most downloaded, and most shared…
Not Your Average Autism MomBEST OF Summer Series — Unlocking the Mystery: Decoding Splinter Skills
☀️ BEST of Summer Series This episode is part of our BEST of Summer Series, where I'm revisiting some of the most impactful, most downloaded, and most shared…
Not Your Average Autism MomBEST OF Summer Series— They're Noy Ignoring You: It's A Skill Gap
☀️ BEST of Summer Series This episode is part of our BEST of Summer Series, where I'm revisiting some of the most impactful, most downloaded, and most shared…
Not Your Average Autism MomBEST OF Summer Series — Pragmatic Language: Why It Matters and How to Help Your Child Build It
☀️ BEST of Summer Series This episode is part of our BEST of Summer Series, where I'm revisiting some of the most impactful, most downloaded, and most shared…
Not Your Average Autism MomBEST OF Summer Series —When Behavior Speaks: Medical Insights into Autism Aggression
☀️ BEST of Summer Series This episode is part of our BEST of Summer Series, where we're revisiting some of the most impactful, most downloaded, and most shared…
Not Your Average Autism MomBEST OF Summer Series - Unwrapping the Rule Book: Strategies for Discipline
☀️ BEST of Summer Series This episode is part of our BEST of Summer Series, where we're revisiting some of the most impactful, most downloaded, and most shared…
Not Your Average Autism MomBEST OF Summer Series Reset & Reconnect: What to Do After You Lose Your Lane (and You Will)
☀️ BEST of Summer Series This episode is part of our BEST of Summer Series, where I'm revisiting some of the most impactful, most downloaded, and most shared…
Not Your Average Autism MomBEST OF Summer Series - Social Expectations vs Autism Reality
☀️ BEST of Summer Series This episode is part of our BEST of Summer Series, where I'm revisiting some of the most impactful, most downloaded, and most shared…
Not Your Average Autism MomBEST OF Summer Series— Rules Matter: Consequences That Teach, Not Punish
☀️ BEST of Summer Series This episode is part of our BEST of Summer Series, where I'm revisiting some of the most impactful, most downloaded, and most shared…
Not Your Average Autism MomBEST OF Summer Series—Stranger Danger, Autism & Online Risks: When Safety Isn't Simple
☀️ BEST of Summer Series This episode is part of our BEST of Summer Series, where I'm revisiting some of the most impactful, most downloaded, and most…
Not Your Average Autism MomBEST OF Summer Series—Stop Chasing Calm: The Truth About Regulation
☀️ BEST of Summer Series This episode is part of our BEST of Summer Series, where I'm revisiting some of the most impactful, most downloaded, and most shared…
Not Your Average Autism Mom272. Summer is Coming... And I Know You're Already Tired
Summer is coming... and if you're already feeling overwhelmed thinking about it, you're not alone. In this episode, Shannon talks about the unique challenges…
Not Your Average Autism Mom271. Planning Exit Routes Since 2001: When "Easy" Isn't Easy
Why do autism moms feel exhausted before we even leave the house? In this deeply relatable episode, Shannon talks about the invisible mental load so many…
Not Your Average Autism Mom270. When There is No Pause Button: Riding Out the Storm
Parenting an autistic child often feels like navigating a storm without a pause button. You may find yourself overwhelmed, trying to manage behaviors that seem…
Not Your Average Autism Mom269. Public Meltdowns and Private Shame
If you’ve ever left a store in tears, replayed a public meltdown in your head for days, or avoided going places because it just feels easier than risking…
Not Your Average Autism Mom268. Why Autism Parents Don’t “Just Get a Babysitter”: The Truth About Trust
One of the things autism parents hear all the time is, “You should just get a babysitter and take a break.” But what most people don’t understand is—it’s not…
Not Your Average Autism Mom267. Autism Parenting and Marriage: Why Couples Struggle (And How They Reconnect)
Raising a child with autism can bring incredible love and purpose into a family’s life—but it can also put enormous pressure on a marriage. This episode is…
Not Your Average Autism Mom266. Autism Changes Siblings Too: The Story Nobody Talks About
Behind every autistic child is often a brother or sister quietly growing up differently too — and in this episode, Shannon Urquiola shares the honest…
Not Your Average Autism Mom265. The Hard Lessons Autism Parenting Eventually Teaches Every Mom
There are some lessons you only learn after years of raising a child with autism. The kind of lessons no one tells you when your child is first diagnosed. The…
Not Your Average Autism Mom264. The Invisible Communication Gap (And Why It Causes So Much Frustration)
Why does your autistic child take things so literally? Why do they sometimes focus on details that seem completely unrelated to the situation? And why can…
Not Your Average Autism Mom263. ABA Therapy: Helpful, Harmful, or Misunderstood? What Parents Need to Know
ABA therapy is one of the most talked about — and often misunderstood — therapies in the autism world. Some families swear by it. Others strongly oppose it…
Not Your Average Autism Mom262. When "Helpful" Advice Isn't Helpful: Navigating Advice From People Who Don't Understand
“Just make him go.” “They’ll eat when they’re hungry.” “He’ll catch up.” If you’re raising a child on the autism spectrum, chances are you’ve heard some…
Not Your Average Autism Mom261. Biomedical Testing and Autism: Understanding a Complex Topic
In this episode of the Not Your Average Autism Mom podcast, Shannon Urquiola explores a topic many parents quietly wonder about but don’t always know how to…
Not Your Average Autism Mom260. The Most Important Page in the IEP (That Many Parents Forget to Use)
In this episode of the Not Your Average Autism Mom podcast, Shannon Urquiola dives deep into one of the most overlooked — yet powerful — tools in special…
Not Your Average Autism Mom259. Is This Autism ... or Something Else? How to Know When to Look Deeper
“Is this autism… or are we missing something?” It’s a question so many autism moms quietly wrestle with — especially when behaviors shift, anxiety increases…
Not Your Average Autism Mom258. The Loneliest Seat in the Room: When You’re the Only One Who Sees the Struggle
Have you ever sat in an IEP meeting, a doctor’s appointment, or even a family gathering and thought… You’re not seeing what I’m seeing? In this episode of the…
Not Your Average Autism Mom257. Rules Need Context — Why “Because I Said So” Doesn’t Work in Autism Parenting
Rules can feel like constant battles in autism parenting— especially when you’re repeating yourself, feeling frustrated, and wondering why things that should…
Not Your Average Autism Mom256. The Long Game of Advocacy —and How to Keep Going
Advocacy isn’t a phase of autism parenting—it’s a long-term role that evolves from diagnosis through adulthood. And for many moms, it can feel exhausting…
Not Your Average Autism Mom255. Autism Parenting Changes You: And That Isn’t the End of Your Story
Autism parenting changes you. Not just how you parent — but how you think, how you feel, and how you move through the world. In this episode of the Not Your…
Not Your Average Autism Mom254. Why All-or-Nothing Thinking Gets So Loud in Autism Parenting
All-or-nothing thinking is one of the most common — and most damaging — thought patterns I see in autism parenting. If today is hard, it suddenly feels like…
Not Your Average Autism Mom253. Medication Merry-Go-Round: Autism, Meds & The Hardest Decisions We Make
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…
Not Your Average Autism Mom252. Stranger Danger, Autism & Online Risks: When Safety Isn't Simple
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…
Not Your Average Autism Mom251. Finding Your People: Why They Matter More Than Ever
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…
Not Your Average Autism Mom250. After 250 Episodes... What I Wish Every Autism Mom Knew
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…
Not Your Average Autism Mom249. “What Do I Even Get Them? Gifts, Expectations, and Letting Go of ‘Typical’ When Your Child Isn’t”
— 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…
Not Your Average Autism Mom248. Reset & Reconnect: What to Do After You Lose Your Lane (and You Will)
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…
Not Your Average Autism Mom247. Staying in Your Lane: Reducing Holiday Stress and Letting Go of What’s Not Yours to Control
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…
Not Your Average Autism Mom246. Beyond Choosing Your Battles: Understanding Boundaries, Flexibility, and Growth
As the holidays approach, you’re probably already feeling the shift — routines change, emotions run high, and suddenly you find yourself “choosing your…
Not Your Average Autism Mom245. When It’s Not About the Behavior: What’s Really Behind Your Reaction
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…
Not Your Average Autism Mom244. It’s Not About You: Learning Not to Take It Personally
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…
Not Your Average Autism Mom243.Feelings First; The Step We Often Skip (and Why It Matters)
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…
Not Your Average Autism Mom242. Advocating Without Burning Out: Managing Your Energy for the Long Haul
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…
Not Your Average Autism Mom241. Rules Matter; Consequences That Teach, Not Punish
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…
Not Your Average Autism Mom240. Pragmatic Language; Why It Matters and How to Help Your Child Build It
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…
Not Your Average Autism Mom239. The Long Game of Independence; Parenting for Their Future
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…
Not Your Average Autism Mom238. The Hardest Part of Letting Go; The Truth We Don’t Want to Hear
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…
Not Your Average Autism Mom237. The Gift of Struggle; Letting Kids Learn Without Rescue
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…
Not Your Average Autism Mom236. These Questions Could Have Come Straight From Your Living Room
In this special Listener Q & A episode, Shannon answers real questions from moms, a grandmother, a para, and even a special education teacher. From…
Not Your Average Autism Mom235. Autism, Bullying, and the Fear That Keeps Us Up at Night
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…
Not Your Average Autism Mom234. Stop Chasing Calm: The Truth About Regulation
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…
Not Your Average Autism Mom233. Back-to-School Parent Pep Talk; What Every Autism Parent Needs to Know
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…