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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

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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.

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