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 demonstrating defensiveness when Shannon suggests someone might be "unwittingly" triggering Jacob's behaviors
• Failed experiment with CBD oil
• Safety concerns with school van driver
• Hilarious and endearing story about Jacob shaving
• Recent breakthrough moment
• Importance of scheduling IEPs as often as needed and bringing advocates to meetings

Please share this podcast with anyone who might benefit, email your experiences to contact.parentingsevereautism@gmail.com, or support the show through the "buy me a coffee" link to help keep this resource free for those who need it.

Support the show

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1989825/supporters/newhttps://psa.buzzsprout.com

Get Podcast Merch at the following link: https://psapodcast.creator-spring.com/

https://www.facebook.com/people/Parenting-Severe-Autism-podcast/100083292374893/

Email: contact.parentingsevereautism@gmail.com

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 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 perform
• The special education director's accusations
• We eventually had to move and shut down our business because Jacob required more support than we could balance with work
• Regular public schools often lack the capacity to properly support children with severe autism

If you find these episodes helpful, please consider sharing this podcast and supporting it by clicking the "buy me a coffee" link to help keep it free for those who need it. You can reach me at contact.parentingsevereautism@gmail.com.

Support the show

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1989825/supporters/newhttps://psa.buzzsprout.com

Get Podcast Merch at the following link: https://psapodcast.creator-spring.com/

https://www.facebook.com/people/Parenting-Severe-Autism-podcast/100083292374893/

Email: contact.parentingsevereautism@gmail.com

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 intensive therapy through Innovative Counseling that provided 40+ hours of effective support
• Advocating for IEP rights and finding alternative solutions when schools fail to meet obligations
• Recognizing that behaviors are communication and require understanding rather than judgment
• Setting age-appropriate expectations even with developmental disabilities
• Working toward creating Safer Lifestyles Respite Communities based on these experiences

Please follow us on social media and help spread awareness about our GoFundMe for Safer Lifestyles Respite Communities. You can find the link in my bio on all platforms or email me at contact.parentingsevereautism@gmail.com with your stories and input.

Support the show

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1989825/supporters/newhttps://psa.buzzsprout.com

Get Podcast Merch at the following link: https://psapodcast.creator-spring.com/

https://www.facebook.com/people/Parenting-Severe-Autism-podcast/100083292374893/

Email: contact.parentingsevereautism@gmail.com

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 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 specialized respite communities designed specifically for severe autism families
• These communities would include trusted respite, parent-trained staff, and wellness opportunities
• Parents of severely autistic children must be "everything" to their child - advocate, therapist, and protector

Check out the AngelSense GPS device link at the bottom of this episode to help protect your eloping child.

Support the show

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1989825/supporters/newhttps://psa.buzzsprout.com

Get Podcast Merch at the following link: https://psapodcast.creator-spring.com/

https://www.facebook.com/people/Parenting-Severe-Autism-podcast/100083292374893/

Email: contact.parentingsevereautism@gmail.com

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 Disney event because his "needs were too great"
• Fighting for inclusion and eventually attending the Disney on Ice show as a family
• Funny shopping adventures with her son, including his perfect comedic timing saying "I want to be happy because people are stupid"
• The hilarious struggle with a broken shopping cart and learning about boundaries
• Importance of proper nutrition before outings to help manage behaviors

If you'd like to support the podcast, click the support button on your audio player or visit psabuzzsprout.com to access merch and donation options. Small donations make a huge difference in keeping this podcast free for everyone.

Support the show

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1989825/supporters/newhttps://psa.buzzsprout.com

Get Podcast Merch at the following link: https://psapodcast.creator-spring.com/

https://www.facebook.com/people/Parenting-Severe-Autism-podcast/100083292374893/

Email: contact.parentingsevereautism@gmail.com

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 years, I felt my nervous system reset from its perpetual fight-or-flight state.

The revelation came when I connected this personal healing journey to my observations of my son with severe autism. Like a baby bird who trembles at the sight of its mother, my son's behaviors seemed directly influenced by my internal state. This mirror effect isn't limited to autism – it appears throughout nature, from wild animals to domestic pets. As the Dog Whisperer taught us, animals respond to our internal energy more than our external commands.

By shifting my focus from controlling my son's behaviors to regulating my own nervous system, unexpected changes began occurring in our household.

Support the show

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1989825/supporters/newhttps://psa.buzzsprout.com

Get Podcast Merch at the following link: https://psapodcast.creator-spring.com/

https://www.facebook.com/people/Parenting-Severe-Autism-podcast/100083292374893/

Email: contact.parentingsevereautism@gmail.com

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
• Discovering disturbing nighttime behaviors through a video monitor that explained Jacob's severe insomnia
• Using the monitor's intercom as an intervention until Jacob ultimately destroyed the equipment
• Planning to share personal breakthroughs that have helped with mental health struggles

Please feel free to contact me through email at contactparentingsevereautism@gmail.com, text fan mail at psabuzzsprout.com, or through the Parenting Severe Autism podcast Facebook page.

Support the show

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1989825/supporters/newhttps://psa.buzzsprout.com

Get Podcast Merch at the following link: https://psapodcast.creator-spring.com/

https://www.facebook.com/people/Parenting-Severe-Autism-podcast/100083292374893/

Email: contact.parentingsevereautism@gmail.com

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.

Support the show

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1989825/supporters/newhttps://psa.buzzsprout.com

Get Podcast Merch at the following link: https://psapodcast.creator-spring.com/

https://www.facebook.com/people/Parenting-Severe-Autism-podcast/100083292374893/

Email: contact.parentingsevereautism@gmail.com