Not Your Average Autism Mom

Shannon Urquiola
  • 4.8 (48)
  • PARENTING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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 29. 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 directly impact your life on this unique parenting journey. info@notyouraverageautismmom.com

  1. 257. Rules Need Context — Why “Because I Said So” Doesn’t Work in Autism Parenting

    1D AGO

    257. 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 be simple just aren’t clicking. In this episode of the Not Your Average Autism Mompodcast, Shannon Urquiola breaks down why rules without context often don’t work for autistic children — and why that isn’t defiance, disrespect, or failure. You’ll learn: Why phrases like “you know better” and “because I said so” often backfireHow stress, overwhelm, and regulation impact your child’s ability to follow rulesWhy timing matters — and why something that doesn’t work now may work laterHow to explain rules in ways your child’s brain can actually receivePractical, real-life ways to support rule learning over time without shame or power strugglesIf rules have been exhausting in your home, this episode will feel like a deep exhale — and a new way forward. This episode is a reminder that your child isn’t ignoring rules — they’re navigating a world full of invisible expectations. Andyour job isn’t to enforce harder, but to explain more clearly. 🌟 Leave a Review: If this episode resonates with you, share your thoughts and experiences by leaving a review. Your feedback supports the podcast and creates a space for other parents to find inspiration and connection.  Together, we can overcome challenges and create abrighter future for our families. P.S. Feeling overwhelmed and ready for a change? Want towork with me?  When you're ready to take control and see different results in your life, check out our private membership at ⁠⁠Not Your Average Autism Mom⁠⁠ Access exclusive support, training, and resources tosave you a ton of time, and a community that truly understands. Join us and discover how amazing this journey can be! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Additional Resources: Join ⁠⁠⁠The Not Your Average Autism Mom Movement⁠⁠⁠ group on FB If there is a specific topic that you would like us totalk about on the podcast, email us directly at ⁠⁠⁠⁠info@notyouraverageautismmom.com⁠⁠ If you’ve ever found yourself wondering, “Why can’t theyjust remember what I said?”—this episode is for you. Because sometimes, holding it together meansunderstanding why their brain can’t always hold on. Have you listened to these episodes yet? ⁠⁠157. Reframing Defeat: Your Child’s Progress is Closer Than You Think⁠⁠ ⁠⁠83. Assessing Your Child’s IEP

    27 min
  2. 256. The Long Game of Advocacy —and How to Keep Going

    FEB 5

    256. 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, overwhelming, and never-ending. In this episode of the Not Your Average Autism Mom podcast, Shannon Urquiola walks you through what advocacy really looks like across every stage of the autism parenting journey—from early intervention and school years to adulthood,siblings, and families parenting non-speaking autistic children. This is an honest, encouraging conversation about: Why advocacy changes over timeHow to advocate without burning outSupporting children who cannot advocate for themselvesNavigating advocacy inside your family, including siblingsLetting go of the pressure to “do it all” and learning how to keep goingIf you’ve ever wondered how you’re supposed to sustain advocacy for the long haul, this episode is for you. 🌟 Leave a Review: If this episode resonates with you, share your thoughtsand experiences by leaving a review. Your feedback supports the podcast and creates a space for other parents to find inspiration and connection. We can overcome challenges and create a brighter future forour families. P.S.- Feeling overwhelmed and ready for a change? When you're ready to take control and see different results, check out our Not Your Average Autism Mom private membership. Access exclusive support, training, and resources to saveyou a ton of time, and a community that truly understands. Join us and discover how amazing this journey can be!⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⁠⁠⁠⁠Get Details HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠  Additional Resources: Join ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Not Your Average Autism Mom Movement⁠⁠⁠⁠ groupon FB If there is a specific topic that you would like us to talkabout on the podcast, email us directly at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@notyouraverageautismmom.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Have you listened to these episodes yet?   222. ⁠Locked Pantries and Naked Kids; Autism Parenting Chronicles⁠ 223. ⁠What to Do When They Say No (Special Education Edition)⁠

    27 min
  3. 255. Autism Parenting Changes You: And That Isn’t the End of Your Story

    JAN 29

    255. 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 Average Autism Mom podcast, Shannon Urquiola talks honestly about the parts of this journey we don’t always say out loud — losing pieces ofyourself, living in survival mode, feeling isolated even in a room full of people, and carrying fears about the future that never fully quiet. This conversation isn’t about fixing anything.It’s about understanding what’s been happening inside you — and why that matters. You’ll hear about: how survival mode slowly becomes your normalwhy identity loss and exhaustion are not personal failureshow love and grief can exist at the same timethe moments that shift everythingand how coaching can change how you experience autism parenting — even when nothing around you changes ✨ Coaching RESET WorkshopIf this episode resonated and you’re feeling emotionally fried, stuck on high alert, or like you’ve lost yourself along the way, Shannon invites you to join her live RESET Coaching Workshop. Four hours of real coaching, created specifically for moms raising autistic children, to help you: slow the mental noisestop spiraling in worst-case thinkingfeel more grounded in the middle of hard daysand show up with more calm and confidence in real life👉 Get the details HERE If you’ve been feeling exhausted, stuck, or like you’ve lost yourself somewhere along the way, this episode is for you. 🌟 Leave a Review: If this episode resonates with you, share your thoughts and experiences by leaving a review. Your feedback supports the podcast and creates a space for other parentsto find inspiration and connection. We can overcome challenges and create a brighter future for our families. P.S. Feeling overwhelmed and ready for a change? When you're ready to take control and see different results, check out our Not Your Average Autism Mom privatemembership. Want more support? Find ways we can help at ⁠www.notyouraverageautismmom.com⁠ for ongoing guidance, coaching, and exclusive resources! Additional Resources: Join ⁠⁠⁠The Not Your Average Autism Mom Movement⁠⁠⁠ group on FB If there is a specific topic that you would like us to talk about on the podcast, email usat ⁠⁠⁠⁠info@notyouraverageautismmom.com⁠⁠⁠⁠  Have you listened to these episodes yet? 40. The Impact of Mind Blindness  109. Why Waiting is So Difficult

    18 min
  4. 254. Why All-or-Nothing Thinking Gets So Loud in Autism Parenting

    JAN 22

    254. 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 everything is hard. If your child is struggling, it feels impossible for you to beokay.And over time, hope, joy, and motivation quietly slip away. In this episode, we’re diving deep into how all-or-nothing thinking shows up when you’re raising an autistic child — not because you’re negative or doing something wrong, but because your body has learned to live on high alert. When unpredictability becomes your norm, your nervoussystem adapts. And when the body doesn’t feel safe, connection, flexibility, and perspective shut down. In this episode, I share:• Real examples of what all-or-nothing thinking looks like in daily autism parenting• Why this isn’t a mindset failure — it’s a nervous system response• How chronic stress keeps moms stuck in survival mode• Coaching strategies I use to help moms move out of misery without pretending life is easy• The reframe that changes everything: “Your body didn’t break. It adapted.” We are not downplaying how hard this journey is —because it is hard.But you do have a choice not to live your life in misery. I’ll also share why I created the RESET Coaching Workshop and how it helps moms regulate their nervous system, extreme thinking, and reconnect with themselves again — without guilt or pressure. 👉Get the details for the RESET Coaching Workshop HERE If you’ve been feeling exhausted, stuck, or like you’velost yourself somewhere along the way, this episode is for you. 🌟 Leave a Review: If this episode resonates with you, share your thoughtsand experiences by leaving a review. Your feedback supports the podcast and creates a space for other parents to find inspiration and connection. We can overcome challenges and create a brighter futurefor our families. P.S. Want more support? Find ways we can help at ⁠www.notyouraverageautismmom.com⁠ for ongoing guidance, coaching, and exclusive resources! Additional Resources: Join ⁠⁠⁠The Not Your Average Autism Mom Movement⁠⁠⁠ group on FB If there is a specific topic that you would like us to talk about on the podcast, email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠info@notyouraverageautismmom.com⁠⁠⁠⁠  Have you listened to these episodes yet?  ⁠⁠74. You Cannot Fix All the Things ALL the Time⁠   ⁠201. Breaking Barriers; Why Low Expectations Hold Our Kids Back⁠

    20 min
  5. 253. Medication Merry-Go-Round: Autism, Meds & The Hardest Decisions We Make

    JAN 15

    253. 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 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 challenges like anxiety, impulsivity, sleep issues, and emotional dysregulation The emotional weight of deciding whether to medicate (and why there is no one “right” answer) Common medications used, what they’re often prescribed for, and why responses vary so widely Real-life experiences with side effects, dosage changes, tics, weight gain, and setbacks Why data matters — and how tracking behaviors can prevent all-or-nothing thinking Personal stories from Shannon’s journey with Jordan, including what helped, what didn’t, and what changed over time This episode is compassionate, real, and judgment-free — because medication decisions are family decisions, and shame has no place here. If this episode resonated with you and you’re feeling emotionally worn down, stuck in survival mode, or unsure how to move forward with confidence, I want to personally invite you to my RESET Workshop on January 31st. This live workshop is designed to help you pause, reset your nervous system, reconnect with yourself, and learn how to navigate hard decisions without guilt or overwhelm. It’s intentionally priced at $14.95 to make support accessible — and it’s included at no charge for Not Your Average Autism Mom members.👉 Learn more and register here: https://www.notyouraverageautismmom.com/change-the-way-you-show-up-in-2026 🌟 Leave a Review: If this episode resonates with you, share your thoughts and experiences by leaving a review. Your feedback supports the podcast and creates a space for other parents to find inspiration and connection. P.S. Feeling overwhelmed and ready for a change? When you're ready to take control and see different results, check out our private membership. Access exclusive support, training, and resources to save you a ton of time, and a community that truly understands. Join us and discover how amazing this journey can be.   ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.notyouraverageautismmom.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Additional Resources: Join ⁠⁠⁠The Not Your Average Autism Mom Movement⁠⁠⁠ group on FB If there is a specific topic that you would like us to talk about on the podcast, email us directly at ⁠⁠⁠⁠info@notyouraverageautismmom.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Have you listened to these episodes yet? 1⁠⁠29. Getting a Grip on Escalating Behaviors⁠⁠ ⁠⁠158. Navigating Hygiene Struggles; Path to Cleanliness

    21 min
  6. 252. Stranger Danger, Autism & Online Risks: When Safety Isn't Simple

    JAN 8

    252. 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 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 traditional advice often falls short. Shannon walks you through: Why autistic kids experience safety, fear, and impulse control differentlyHow to teach safe vs. unsafe situations instead of relying on fear-based messagingReal life scenarios you can practice with your child in public, at school and onlineThe very real dangers of online gaming, social platforms and sextortionWhy supervision and monitoring are not about control — they're about protectionShannon also shares personal stories about her son Jordan, including why, at 29, safety planning and supervision are still necessary due to impulse control and lack of fear — and how meeting your child where they are is not failure, it’s love. 💙 For moms in the Not Your Average Autism Mom privatemembership:Two parent resource downloads are available in the portal and the Village resource section to support you with online monitoring tools. This episode is compassionate, practical, and honest — because teaching safety doesn’t have to come from fear. It comes from preparation. 🌟 Leave a Review: If this episode resonates with you, share your thoughts and experiences by leaving a review. Yourfeedback supports the podcast and creates a space for other parents to find inspiration and connection. Together, we can overcome challenges and create a brighter future for our families. P.S. Feeling overwhelmed and ready for a change? When you're ready to take control and see different results, check out our private membership. Access exclusive support, training and resources to save you a ton of time, and a community that truly understands. Join us and discover how amazing this journey can be!   Get Details HERE Additional Resources: Join ⁠The Not Your Average Autism Mom Movement⁠ group on FB If there is a specific topic that you would like us to talk about on the podcast, email us directly at ⁠⁠info@notyouraverageautismmom.com⁠⁠ Don't miss these episodes... 217. Your Words Matter: Raising Resilient Kids 110. Have You Ever Secretly Hated Autism?

    27 min
  7. 251. Finding Your People: Why They Matter More Than Ever

    12/18/2025

    251. 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 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. This episode dives into vulnerability, honesty, and the willingness it takes to be seen — and why trying to do it all alone often leads to isolation and burnout. In this episode, we talk about: Why “I’m fine” friendships don’t hold up in autism parenting How hiding behind a façade keeps you lonely, even when you’re surrounded by people What it looks like to step out of your comfort zone and ask for help How sharing your story helps other moms feel less alone — and helps you find your people Why this journey was never meant to be carried alone This is the final episode of 2025. Shannon will be back every Thursday in 2026, starting with episode 252 on January 8th. If you’ve ever felt unseen, misunderstood, or alone in this journey, this episode will remind you that your people are out there — and you don’t have to stop searching. 📺 Now available on video too! Watch on this podcast page or Spotify, or listen as always—whichever way you tune in, we’re just glad you’re here. Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey with us! Together, we are stronger. 🌟 Leave a Review: If this episode resonates with you, share your thoughts and experiences by leaving a review. Your feedback supports the podcast and creates a space for other parents to find inspiration and connection. P.S. Feeling overwhelmed and ready for a change? When you're ready to take control and see different results, check out our private membership. Access exclusive support, training, and resources to save you a ton of time, and a community that truly understands. Join us and discover how amazing this journey can be.   ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.notyouraverageautismmom.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Additional Resources: Join ⁠⁠⁠The Not Your Average Autism Mom Movement⁠⁠⁠ group on FB If there is a specific topic that you would like us to talk about on the podcast, email us directly at ⁠⁠⁠⁠info@notyouraverageautismmom.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Have you listened to these episodes yet? 1⁠⁠29. Getting a Grip on Escalating Behaviors⁠⁠ ⁠⁠158. Navigating Hygiene Struggles; Path to Cleanliness

    20 min
  8. 250. After 250 Episodes... What I Wish Every Autism Mom Knew

    12/11/2025

    250. 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 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 you. Shannon shares the real truth about how this journey changes over time — not because autism goes away, but because you grow, your child grows, and the lessons you learn along the way slowly reshape everything. Inside, she talks about: why your motherhood was never meant to look like anyone else’s what actually gets easier (and what doesn’t) how to stop bracing for every meltdown the moment she realized she didn’t have to join Jordan’s storm celebrating the small wins that become the big wins and how to stop carrying this journey alone You’ll hear a brand-new story from Shannon’s week — a story of growth, family dinner, dysregulation, humor, and a moment that would have shattered the entire night years ago but didn’t… because time and lessons really do change things. Whether you’re on Episode 1 or Episode 250, you belong here.This episode will help you breathe a little deeper, judge yourself a little less, and remember that you are doing better than you think. 🌟 Leave a Review: If this episode resonates with you, share your thoughts and experiences by leaving a review. Your feedback supports the podcast and creates a space for other parents to find inspiration and connection. We can overcome challenges and create a brighter future for our families. P.S.Feeling overwhelmed and ready for a change? When you're ready to take control and see different results, check out our Not Your Average Autism Mom private membership. Access exclusive support, training, and resources to save you a ton of time, and a community that truly understands. Join us and discover how amazing this journey can be!⁠⁠⁠⁠   ⁠⁠Get Details HERE⁠⁠ ⁠  Additional Resources: Join ⁠⁠⁠The Not Your Average Autism Mom Movement⁠⁠⁠ group on FB If there is a specific topic that you would like us to talk about on the podcast, email us directly at ⁠⁠⁠⁠info@notyouraverageautismmom.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Have you listened to these episodes yet?  ⁠⁠⁠218. Planning for the Unplanned; A Legacy of Care⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠137. Explaining our Children’s Differences⁠

    30 min
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4.8
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About

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 29. 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 directly impact your life on this unique parenting journey. info@notyouraverageautismmom.com

Information

  • Creator
    Shannon Urquiola
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    276
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Shannon Urquiola
  • Show Website
    Not Your Average Autism Mom