Parenting Severe Autism
Parenting Severe Autism is a raw, unfiltered podcast for parents and caregivers raising children with Severe Autism. Hosted by Shannon Chamberlin - a parent, not a professional - this show is your emotional lifeline, real-talk resource, and reminder that you're not alone. From early childhood to adulthood and beyond, Shannon shares honest stories, painful truths, small victories, and survival strategies for the families the world forgets. Whether you're in crisis mode or just need someone who gets it, this is your space. No fluff. No sugarcoating. Just truth, hope, and community. Severe Autism and special needs considerations. This type of autism parenting is lifelong... it becomes adult autism parenting. Seek caregiver support when possible.
Episodes
Shannon 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 p...
Severe 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 wh...
Shannon 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 suppo...
This 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...
Shannon 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 demonstr...
I'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.
Imagine 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 turni...
Parenting 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 surrea...
Shannon 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...
We 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 ...
Understanding 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 struggl...
This 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 Tw...
This 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
• Di...
Our 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 ...
Heads 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...
This 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...
The 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 implica...
Our 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.
• Explori...
Exploring 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 <...
This 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.
• Jas...
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