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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 to his room, repetitive actions—culminated in a complete regression that left him unable to perform even the simplest tasks he once mastered. His 100-word vocabulary vanished almost overnight, replaced only with the phrase "I love you," which he began saying indiscriminately to strangers.

The most shocking part? After frantic research, I discovered this regression at age 15 is apparently a documented phenomenon in some children with severe autism—yet in all our years working with specialists and researching autism, not one professional had ever warned us this might happen. How could something so significant not be part of standard information given to parents of children with severe autism?

Throughout the episode, I detail our attempts to help our son: cross-body exercises recommended by specialists, creating sensory-rich environments, increased therapy sessions, and constant engagement. I share both the frustrations and the rare moments of breakthrough, including a recent heartwarming moment when he perfectly mimicked a Tony the Tiger commercial from the depths of his memory.

For parents with children under 15 with severe autism, this episode serves as both a warning and a call to maximize interventions while your child's brain remains receptive. For those who've already experienced this regression, you'll find validation and the comfort of knowing you're not alone on this journey. Sometimes being a parent to a child with severe autism means celebrating the smallest victories while navigating the most challenging losses.

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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 would react with sharp pains in my side the moment I heard his aggressive vocalizations approaching—a visceral reminder of how deeply these interactions affected me. What made this situation uniquely isolating was his remarkable ability to transform into a sweet, compliant child whenever someone who could validate my experience was present.

I share the heartbreaking moment when I found myself telling my husband "he's lying" after our son denied his behavior—a childish outburst that revealed my desperation to be believed. When my father-in-law finally offered help during a particularly brutal episode, I accepted without fully considering what form that help would take. The resulting verbal tirade he unleashed on our son temporarily changed his behavior but left me questioning everything about appropriate boundaries.

Through mysterious new behaviors like stuffing deodorant down drains, flooding bathrooms, and eventually self-harm, we discovered a shocking truth—our son hadn't been sleeping for months. Family members living in our home had witnessed his nighttime activities but never thought to mention this crucial information as we searched desperately for answers.

For parents facing similar hidden battles, this episode offers no easy solutions but something perhaps more valuable—the knowledge that you aren't alone in these complex, rarely-discussed aspects of raising a child with severe autism. Your experiences are valid, even when others can't see or understand them.

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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 legal precautions to protect their current living situation
• Shannon's perspective on residential care evolved from heartbreak to desperately seeking options
• Rare communication breakthroughs provide precious moments of connection with her son
• Caregivers need time for personal development and thinking as adults, not just emergency parents

If you have questions, comments, or stories to share, email contact.parentingsevereautism@gmail.com.

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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 is being mistreated, even when they can't tell you directly
• Finding creative solutions when traditional therapy approaches don't work
• Discovering grants and financial assistance programs for autism services

Remember to ask organizations about available grants if you need services for your child. Many places offer application assistance to help you qualify for these resources.

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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 therapy options and discounts, reach out to Shannon at contactparentingsevereautism@gmail.com or visit her Buzzsprout page for more information.

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