Shows
Parenting Severe AutismYour Child Is Not a Zoo Animal: Fighting for Dignity in Special EducationSend us a textI share our experience with the public school system when Jacob returned after a previous traumatic incident, revealing the challenges, frustrations, and occasional victories during this difficult period.• The school promised an "adulting program" for independent living skills but Jacob never got to participate• Jacob needed three-to-one support instead of one-to-one, which the school couldn't provide• We struggled with getting consistent communication about Jacob's daily activities and behaviors• School staff disregarded Jacob's dietary restrictions• Jacob's therapists worked on skills at home that the school claimed he couldn't perform2025-07-2342 minParenting Severe AutismWhen Schools Fail: Navigating Autism Education and TherapySend us a textShannon shares the experience of returning her son to school after he was abused, revealing the challenges of finding appropriate accommodations and fighting the system at every turn.• School couldn't handle her son's needs, requiring a reduced schedule to prevent overwhelm• Battle over using a communication notebook that had always worked as a behavior management tool• School failed to provide mandated therapy services due to transitions being too difficult• Discovery of intensive therapy through Innovative Counseling that provided 40+ hours of effective support• Advocating for IEP rights and finding al...2025-07-0934 minParenting Severe AutismWhen They Function Better Without You: The Parental ParadoxSend us a textSevere autism presents unique challenges during summer months, particularly increased elopement risk and the need for constant vigilance. • Summer heat and reduced structure may trigger more elopement behaviors in autistic children• AngelSense GPS tracking device provides location tracking and two-way communication during elopement incidents• Children with severe autism sometimes function better when parents are not present• Schools often lack understanding of severe autism needs and may blame parents rather than providing appropriate support• Medication effectiveness can fluctuate dramatically, requiring specialized testing to understand metabolism issues• Vision for creating...2025-06-2533 minParenting Severe AutismMy Son Deserves Joy Too: Fighting for Inclusion in a World That Says No To Severe AutismSend us a textShannon shares a pivotal moment when she realized her son's autism was considered "severe" after he was excluded from a Disney on Ice event that his autism therapy group organized without inviting him.• Communication strategies using Disney movie references help her son understand complex concepts like family members leaving• Learning that her son requires multiple staff members for support at his therapy program• The heartbreak of discovering her son wasn't invited to a Disney event because his "needs were too great"• Fighting for inclusion and eventually attending the Disney o...2025-06-1132 minParenting Severe AutismHealing From Within: How Self-Care Transforms CaregivingSend us a textThis one's about us. The caregivers. Not the children.After watching my health deteriorate despite years of consistent workouts and healthy eating attempts, I found myself drawn to a program focused on nervous system recalibration. What happened next shocked me. Through specialized therapy techniques and somatic healing, I experienced physical transformations as my body released stored trauma. Mysterious swelling disappeared, facial tension loosened, and for the first time in years, I felt my nervous system reset from its perpetual fight-or-flight state.The revelation came when I connected this personal...2025-05-2849 minParenting Severe AutismEP. 58 The Exorcist in Room Two: Our Journey Through Severe Autism's Nighttime ChallengesSend us a textShannon shares her experience stepping back from caregiving duties to focus on her mental health after 18 years of continuous care for her son with severe autism.• Taking a temporary break in a camper near home to restore mental health after reaching burnout• Applying for fiscal sponsorship to pursue the dream of creating supportive communities for families affected by severe autism• Jacob demonstrating remembered turn-taking skills despite lack of formal therapy• Discovering disturbing nighttime behaviors through a video monitor that explained Jacob's severe insomnia• Using the monitor's intercom as an inte...2025-05-1415 minParenting Severe AutismBuilding S.A.F.E.R. Lifestyles: A Vision for Severe Autism FamiliesSend us a textI'm developing a social equity project called S.A.F.E.R. Lifestyles, designed to create communities for families dealing with severe autism. My vision addresses how most of us lack support, with villages abandoning us when we need them most.Contact us at contact.parentingsevereautism@gmail.com if you'd like to learn more or support the S.A.F.E.R. Lifestyles movement.Perfect Rhodiola Discounts for YouThese are some of my favorite products - Organic with no fillers, no flow agents...2025-04-3016 minParenting Severe AutismOur Son Lost Everything When He Turned 15, and No One Warned UsSend us a textImagine waking up one morning to discover your child has lost every skill they've ever learned. This devastating experience is the reality for many parents of teens with severe autism, yet it's rarely discussed in autism resources or by medical professionals.In this deeply personal episode, I share the heartbreaking story of my son losing all his functional abilities and speech within days of turning 15. What began with concerning behaviors—strange vocalizations, withdrawing to his room, repetitive actions—culminated in a complete regression that left him unable to perform even the simp...2025-04-2334 minParenting Severe AutismLiving With My Decision to Accept Help From FamilySend us a textParenting a child with severe autism often means facing challenges that remain hidden from the outside world. In this deeply personal episode, I take listeners into the harrowing reality of what happened when my nonverbal teenage son began directing aggressive behaviors specifically toward me.The painful irony of being verbally abused by someone who professionals deemed "nonverbal" created a surreal existence where I developed physical pain responses to his targeting. My body would react with sharp pains in my side the moment I heard his aggressive vocalizations approaching—a visceral reminder of...2025-04-0938 minParenting Severe AutismEP.54 - The Caregiver's Dilemma: Fighting for Your Child While Fighting for YourselfSend us a textShannon Chamberlin shares a devastating family betrayal that threatened her son's financial future and pushed her to physical and emotional breaking points, while also celebrating rare moments of communication breakthrough from her severely autistic son.• The purpose of the podcast is to warn parents about unexpected challenges in severe autism parenting• Shannon discusses her 19-year struggle with Hashimoto's autoimmune condition while caregiving• The family is taking legal precautions to protect their current living situation• Shannon's perspective on residential care evolved from heartbreak to desperately seeking options• Rare communicat...2025-03-2628 minParenting Severe AutismNavigating Teenage Severe Autism: When Everything Changes and Nothing Makes SenseSend us a textWe never expect our lives to require staying in high alert mode indefinitely, but parenting a severely autistic child often demands exactly that level of vigilance and adaptability.• Experiencing the heartbreak when your child begins hating everything they once loved• Dealing with family members who don't understand your child's needs or your parenting approach• Navigating the additional challenges of puberty with a nonverbal teenager• Learning to recognize when your child is being mistreated, even when they can't tell you directly• Finding creative solutions when traditional therapy approaches don't work...2025-03-1928 minParenting Severe AutismThe Unseen Struggles of Parenting a Child with Severe AutismSend us a textUnderstanding the daily battles of parenting a child with severe autism takes center stage, emphasizing emotional toll, struggles, and small triumphs. Shannon shares her journey, revealing insights and experiences that resonate deeply with listeners.• Importance of online therapy solutions for caregivers • The critical impact of mismanaged medications • Strategies for finding joy amid daily struggles If you're interested in learning more about online therapy options and discounts, reach out to Shannon at contactparentingsevereautism@gmail.com or visit her Buzzsprout page for more information. AngelSense Device...2025-02-2616 minParenting Severe AutismAdventures in Parenting a Child with Unique Communication - Severe AutismSend us a textThis week's episode dives into the humorous and heartfelt moments of parenting severe autism while highlighting communication challenges within the family. We discuss the impact of outside influences, share lively anecdotes, and celebrate the small victories and breakthroughs that define our experiences. • Contemplating media influence on son’s behavior • Reflecting on alarming moments with "The Tweedles"• Gaining valuable insights from an autism therapy group • Observing the impact of stimming on the body• Celebrating communication breakthroughs through mealtime interactions • Highlighting humorous, everyday moments that shape understanding Support the sh...2025-02-1927 minParenting Severe AutismNavigating Parental Identity and Community Misunderstandings in Severe Autism CaregivingSend us a textThis episode explores the complexities of parenting a child with severe autism, focusing on behavioral observations, shifts in household control, and the impact of communication. Throughout the conversation, the host reflects on personal experiences, shares strategies, and offers insights that encourage connection and understanding among listeners. • Observing and interpreting muscle twitching behaviors • Discussing the role and effectiveness of pharmaceuticals • The positive impacts of structured control in household dynamics • Celebrating Jacob's new communicative expressions • Addressing the obsession with dad and respect for boundaries • Misunderstandings surrounding non-sexual behaviors in therapy • Ref...2025-02-1231 minParenting Severe AutismToileting and Dietary Challenges Amidst Family Clashes In Parenting Severe AutismSend us a textOur latest podcast episode takes a raw look at the joys and challenges of parenting a child with severe autism, examining the delicate balance of striving for independence while facing recurrent setbacks. We delve into personal stories that highlight toileting challenges, dietary decisions, and the impact of family dynamics as we navigate the complexities of autism parenting.• The emotional toll of societal misjudgment • Toileting challenges and steps to fostering independence • Dietary implications on behavior and well-being• The clash of family expectations and respect for dietary needs • The necessity of...2025-02-0542 minParenting Severe AutismEmbracing Unique Identities in Severe Autism ParentingSend us a textHeads Up! This one gets a little emotional! What if you could transform your understanding of autism and turn challenging moments into opportunities of growth? Join me, Shannon Chamberlin, as I share our family's journey navigating early puberty with our son, who has severe autism. From managing the long transition periods between activities that disrupt his school therapies to ingeniously fostering his independence with themed alarm clocks, we uncover the unique patterns and preferences that shaped this complex phase of his life.Discover the power of communication...2025-01-2924 minParenting Severe AutismOur Son's Severe Autism Test Results, Cherished Progress and Family HurdlesSend us a textThis episode recounts our personal experience navigating Jacob's autism evaluation at 16 years old, detailing the process, insights, and outcomes that emerged from it. We explore key findings, discuss challenges within family dynamics, and share humorous anecdotes that highlight the unique aspects of parenting in the context of severe autism. • Discussion of the journey to find an appropriate evaluation center • Personal reflections on Jacob's evaluations and challenges faced • Overview of the Vineland and CARS assessment results • Insight into therapy recommendations and family dynamics • Touching stories about Jacob's understanding of family roles...2025-01-2232 minParenting Severe AutismBehaviors, Coping Strategies, Empathy, Growth and Legislation in Severe Autism LivingSend us a textThe episode highlights the complexities of parenting a child with severe autism, touching on legislation like the Autism Cares Act, personal experiences, and behavioral challenges faced at home. We share humorous anecdotes alongside heartrending truths about navigating daily life, emphasizing the importance of understanding and compassion in our journey.• Discussion about the Autism Cares Act and its implications • Reflection on pulling Jacob from school and observed behaviors • Memories from a family trip to Animal Kingdom • Managing Jacob's challenging behaviors at home • Conversations surrounding animalistic behaviors and coping strategies 2025-01-1542 minParenting Severe AutismEP.45. Learning Differently: A Story of Severe Autism, Resilience, and CompassionSend us a textOur latest episode explores the transformative journey of non-schooling for kids with severe autism, emphasizing the value of nature, creativity, and family engagement in a child's learning experience. We reflect on the challenges posed by traditional education methods and share insights on how we've adapted our parenting approach to better support Jacob's unique needs and interests. • Exploring the concept of non-schooling as an alternative education path• Emphasizing the importance of outdoor experiences and nature in learning• Reflecting on Jacob's interests in movies and theater as educational opportunities• Establishing structure...2025-01-0847 minParenting Severe AutismEP.44. Embracing Severe Autism's Challenges with Humor and HeartSend us a textExploring the complexities of autism and family dynamics, this episode delves into vaccine concerns, genetic traits, communication challenges, and the necessity of parental advocacy. Listeners gain insight into the ongoing journey of understanding and supporting their children with autism. • Discussion on the potential link between vaccines and autism • Recognition of family traits and hereditary behaviors • Communication barriers and the detective role of parents • Importance of steadfast advocacy in supporting children • Loneliness and isolation felt by parents of children with autism • The power of music and shared activities in bonding •...2025-01-0149 minParenting Severe AutismEP.43. Transformative Moments in Autism EducationSend us a textThis episode features a heartfelt conversation with my spouse Jason as he describes being a single father of a child newly diagnosed with autism, sharing insights about the journey through diagnosis, therapy, and the advocacy needed within education. The emotional rollercoaster of birthday reflections and the importance of understanding energy dynamics in their relationship forms a compelling narrative.• Jason's experience and journey through Jacob's diagnosis • The critical role of play-based therapy in early communication • Insights on advocating for quality education tailored to individual needs • Importance of emotional energy in interact...2024-12-2439 min