“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 version of these “helpful” suggestions more times than you can count.

And while most people mean well, advice like this can leave you feeling misunderstood, frustrated, and sometimes even questioning your own parenting decisions.

In this episode of the Not Your Average Autism Mom podcast, Shannon Urquiola talks about the kind of advice autism parents hear all the time — and more importantly, how to navigate those moments without letting doubt creep in.

Shannon shares relatable examples, personal stories from raising her son Jordan, and practical strategies to help you handle comments from family, friends, and others who may not fully understand what your child — and you — are actually navigating.

You’ll learn:

• Why “helpful” advice can sometimes hurt more than it helps

• Why these comments trigger doubt for so many autism parents

• How to respond without over-explaining or starting conflict

• Simple ways to protect your confidence as a parent

• How to navigate advice from people who mean well but don’t truly understand

If you’ve ever walked away from a conversation feeling like you had to defend your child, your parenting, or your decisions, this episode will remind you that you’re not alone — and that trusting what you’re learning about your child matters more than anyone else’s quick opinion.

Because parenting a child on the spectrum is complex, and one-size-fits-all advice rarely applies.

🌟 Leave a Review: If this episode resonates with you, share your thoughts and experiences by leaving a review. Your feedback not only supports the podcast but also 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 the other ways we can help you.

Join us and discover how amazing this journey can be ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.notyouraverageautismmom.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Additional Resources:

Join the MOVEMENT on FB⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/thenotyouraverageautismmommovement⁠

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?

⁠⁠⁠Episode 146. The Myth of “One Day”; Spectrum of Strengths⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Episode 149. Parenting Imperfectly; Guilt Free Zone⁠

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 navigate: biomedical testing and autism.

Shannon discusses common tests that are often mentioned in the autism community—including OATS testing, MTHFR genetic variants, CBC panels, vitamin deficiencies, gut health testing, and sleep studies—and why some parents begin asking whether certain behaviors could have underlying biological contributors.

This conversation is not about curing autism.
It’s about understanding that sometimes discomfort, inflammation, nutritional deficiencies, or sleep disruptions can affect a child’s regulation—and those things deserve attention.

Throughout the episode Shannon emphasizes three key principles:

• Autism is not something to cure
• Curiosity should guide decisions—not panic
• Discernment matters in a very noisy space

You’ll also hear real-life scenarios that many parents will recognize, along with the important reminder that biomedical testing isn’t the right path for every family—and that’s okay too.

Shannon also invites listeners to share their own experiences with biomedical testing so the community can learn from one another.

If you’ve ever wondered whether certain behaviors might have medical contributors, this episode will help you think through the conversation in a thoughtful and grounded way.

Shannon is also hosting a FREE 3-part educational series on stem cells and autism beginning March 17th.
If you’re curious about emerging research in this area, you can register HERE or find the information across Not Your Average Autism Mom social media.

We have so many of you who are NEW here, we wanted to share Shannon's feature on News Nation Now with Nichole Berlie. She shares her perspective as a mom raising an autistic son and as the founder of Not Your Average Autism Mom.

Every chance she gets to use her voice for families like ours is a privilege—and this conversation was no exception. 💙

They talked about what it means to raise children on the spectrum, the challenges families face, and why representation in these national conversations matters so much.

If you missed it, you can watch the full interview here ⬇️👉 ⁠Watch Now⁠

Every chance she gets to use her voice for families like ours is a privilege—and this conversation was no exception. 💙

🌟 Leave a Review: If this episode resonates with you, share your thoughts and experiences by leaving a review. Your feedback not only supports the podcast but also creates a space for other parents to find inspiration and connection.

Additional Resources:

Join the MOVEMENT 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

Below are two of our most downloaded episodes not to miss.

⁠⁠Episode 148: Shifting Perspective; Looking Through A Different Lens⁠⁠

⁠⁠Episode 48. Differentiating a Speech Delay and/or Autism

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 education: the Parent Input Statement.

If you’ve ever walked into an IEP meeting feeling unprepared, intimidated, or unsure what to say, this episode is for you.

Shannon breaks down:
• What the Parent Input Statement actually is
• Why it legally matters
• What should (and should not) be included
• How to write about academics, behavior, communication, sensory needs, executive functioning, social skills, anxiety, and transition planning
• Why wording matters more than you think
• And how working with the right advocate can completely change the trajectory of your child’s services

You are the only person at that IEP table who has known your child their entire life. Your voice deserves to be documented clearly and strategically.

If it’s not in writing, it doesn’t exist.

This episode will help you walk into your next IEP meeting informed, confident, and prepared.

🌟 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 the ways we can support you at 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 at ⁠⁠⁠info@notyouraverageautismmom.com⁠⁠⁠

🎙️ Have you listened to these episodes yet?

⁠74. You Cannot Fix All the Things ALL the Time

⁠133. Beyond Helicopter Parenting, Fostering Independence

🎙 Find more episodes at NotYourAverageAutismMom.com
🎥 Now available in video format on Spotify and YouTube.