Your child speaks, reads, or knows more about their favorite subject than most adults—and people assume they need less help than they actually do.

Or they need substantial support, and people overlook their abilities.

What do the words “high-functioning” and “low-functioning” really tell us?

In this episode, I share how something I heard in an audiobook made me question a description I’ve often used for my own son, Jordan. We explore what functioning labels leave out, where autism support levels fit, and how to describe your child’s abilities and needs in ways that help others understand.

You’ll hear:

• Why speaking doesn’t tell us how someone manages everyday life.
• How broad labels can hide support needs or lead people to underestimate abilities.
• What Levels 1, 2, and 3 describe—and what they don’t.
• Practical language you can use with family, teachers, and providers.

You don’t have to downplay what your child can do to explain what they still need help with.

💻 FREE LIVE WEBINAR
BEYOND THE IEP: What Moms REALLY Need to Navigate the Autism Parenting Journey

Wednesday, November 11, 2026
7:30 PM Eastern | 6:30 PM Central | 5:30 PM Mountain | 4:30 PM Pacific

Join Shannon to discover three things no one tells you after an autism diagnosis—and how to decide what matters now, what can wait, and what to do next without second-guessing yourself.

Register FREE:
https://new.notyouraverageautismmom.com/registration-page

Find coaching, resources, and a community of moms who understand at www.notyouraverageautismmom.com.

Your child knows every dinosaur but struggles to ask for help. They’re learning new things, yet the differences between them and other children their age are becoming harder to overlook.

What does that mean—and what should you do next?

In this episode, we’re focusing on the preschool and elementary years, when developmental differences can become more noticeable through play, communication, classroom expectations, and everyday independence.

We’ll talk about:

• What a developmental gap means—and why one “developmental age” can’t describe your whole child.
• How strong abilities in one area can make support needs in another harder to recognize.
• Why your child can make progress while the gap still becomes more noticeable.
• Why families sometimes wait to seek an evaluation.
• How to describe your concerns and request appropriate assessments.
• What to ask the school or therapy team if your child already has a diagnosis.

Whether you’re beginning to wonder about your child’s development or realizing their current support isn’t addressing what you’re seeing, this conversation will help you identify a practical next step.

💻 FREE LIVE WEBINAR
BEYOND THE IEP: What Moms REALLY Need to Navigate the Autism Parenting Journey

Wednesday, November 11, 2026
7:30 PM Eastern | 6:30 PM Central | 5:30 PM Mountain | 4:30 PM Pacific

Join Shannon to discover three things no one tells you after an autism diagnosis—and how to decide what matters now, what can wait, and what to do next without second-guessing yourself.

Register FREE:
https://new.notyouraverageautismmom.com/registration-page

Learn about the Not Your Average Autism Mom private membership:
https://www.notyouraverageautismmom.com

If this episode helped you, share it with another mom and leave a rating or review. You’ll help more moms find information and support for this parenting journey.

You love your children. And sometimes, you wish this life were easier. You want to go places, take the pictures, and make family memories. But sometimes, being home is easier—and you feel disappointed, angry, or guilty that it is.

In this personal episode, I’m talking about the feelings so many autism moms keep to themselves. The comparison. The fear of being judged as a parent. The embarrassment you feel guilty admitting. And the pressure to make experiences work because you wanted them so much for your child.

With the holidays approaching, we’re talking honestly about:

• Wanting experiences that may not work for your child right now.
• Feeling misunderstood by people you love.
• Making parenting decisions without needing everyone’s approval.
• Navigating holiday plans and time with your other children.
• Finding people you can talk to without having to explain everything first.

After 25 years of navigating autism with Jordan, I still have worries. I’m sharing what I’ve learned about acceptance, changing plans, and making room for your own feelings along the way.

You can be grateful for your child and disappointed about something your family couldn’t do. You deserve support for both.

FREE WEBINAR
BEYOND THE IEP: What Moms REALLY Need to Navigate the Autism Parenting Journey

Register here:
https://new.notyouraverageautismmom.com/registration-page

EXPLORE OUR COMMUNITY
https://www.notyouraverageautismmom.com

If this episode helped you feel understood, share it with another mom and leave a rating or review. You’ll help more moms find us.