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Description
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.
67 Episodes
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Send us a text We face the change in the story since moving back to Illinois: the first sign of aggression that changed everything between us. We also share GeneSite results, ask about Leucovorin, weigh group homes vs “never,” and find a quiet win by the river. • impact of the Illinois move on behavior and family strain • the car attack as a turning point in safety and trust • losing verbal leverage and rebuilding boundaries • GeneSite insights, med tweaks, and timelines • curiosity about Le...
Send us a text Moving to Illinois with our severely autistic son brought unexpected challenges, including his increasingly violent behavior and our struggle to find appropriate medical and community support. Rejection has become an abnormally normal occurrence, but this is where it started. • Our son developed concerning rage behaviors in public • Housing search • Parent support group silence • Theatre program • Despite rejections, our son continues to show creativity and new skills • We're e...
Send us a text Shannon shares the challenging journey of relocating from Wisconsin to Illinois with her severely autistic son, highlighting the unexpected difficulties they faced and the small victories that kept them going through the transition. • Preparing requires extensive preparation, ideally with videos of new locations • Transitioning to living with grandparents created significant challenges, including disrupted sleep patterns • Learning the ropes of medical cannabis in Illinois for...
Send us a text Shannon continues sharing emails between herself and her son Jacob's teachers in Wisconsin, revealing the challenges of advocating for a child with severe autism in the school system. • Ongoing battles with teachers about using food as a motivator despite Shannon's opposition due to potential eating disorders and specific dietary restrictions • Frustration with teachers repeatedly asking for guidance already provided in Shannon's comprehensive instruction letter • Teachers dem...
Send us a text I 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 a...
Send us a text 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 provide mandated therapy services due to transitions being too difficult • Discovery of ...
Send us a text 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 when parents are not present • Schools often lack understanding of severe ...
Send us a text 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 support at his therapy program • The heartbreak of discovering her son wasn't invited to a Di...
Send us a text 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 disappeared, facial tension loosened, and for the first time in ...
Send us a text 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 demonstrating remembered turn-taking skills despite lack of formal therapy • Discover...
Send us a text 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. Perfect Rhodiola Discounts for YouThese are some of my favorite products - Organic with no fillers, no fl...
Send us a text 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 turning 15. What began with concerning behaviors—strange vocalizations, withdrawing ...
Send us a text 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 surreal existence where I developed physical pain responses to his targeting. My body...
Send us a text 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 Hashimoto's autoimmune condition while caregiving • The family is taking lega...
Send us a text 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 challenges of puberty with a nonverbal teenager • Learning to recognize when your child...
Send us a text 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 struggles If you're interested in learning more about online therap...
Send us a text 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 Tweedles" • Gaining valuable insights from an autism therapy group ...
Send us a text 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 • Discussing the role and effectiveness of pharmaceuticals ...
Send us a text 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 misjudgment • Toileting challenges and steps to fostering indep...
Send us a text 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 independence with themed alarm clocks, we uncover the unique patterns and...
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