Shannon Penrod: Autism Advice for Parents

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Podcast host, author, comedian, and autism mom, Shannon Penrod wears many hats. Today, she joins me to share her journey of autism with her son Jem and offer advice for parents out there in the thick of it.

Journey of Hope for Autism

Shannon had her son Jem later in life, at the age of 40. Despite all of the doctor’s warnings and concerns throughout her pregnancy, Jem was born healthy and seemingly neurotypical. Around age 2 is when Shannon began to notice language regression, six months went by where Jem was continuously losing skills before a doctor agreed to evaluate Jem for autism. Jem received his autism diagnosis at just after age 2 and a half. It would be several more months before Shannon met another autism family that changed her whole view and Jem soon began ABA. Shannon shares her denial, concerns, and other big feelings associated with her journey in an effort to help parents understand, IT’S OKAY. There is hope.

Autism Spectrum Disorder: What Every Parent Needs to Know

Whether you have a young child who is nonverbal or with lots of skill deficits, a teen or adult who requires 24/7 care, or a young adult assimilating into neurotypical society with milestones you’d never thought you’d see… What matters is the happiness and safety of your child and yourself. Every single autism journey is going to look different. Every single child and adult is going to have different needs. Shannon, who has read my book, is the author of her own book, Autism Parent to Parent, Sanity Saving Advice for Every Parent with a Child on the Autism Spectrum, which she says is a great companion book to my books and courses, and I agree. While I go into the step by step, how-tos of early intervention, Autism Parent to Parent dives into the very real and important feelings of being a parent of a child with autism, and how to cope with them when you’re right in the middle of the hard stuff and even after.

The Transition to Adulthood

Jem, Shannon’s son, is now 19 and attending college. He is a passionate writer and working on obtaining his driver’s license. These are all things Shannon wasn’t sure she’d ever experience with her son. While she has glowing accolades for Jem, she reminds us that he’s still a teenager and he brings on many typical teenage challenges, which in a way she is grateful for. If you have a child that is an older teen with autism, we discuss some transitioning and plans for reaching goals like driving. Often there are simulations available at local rehab centers, YouTube videos, and I recommend driving instructors for any child with autism or not. You may also notice as your child gets older and has more understanding of their needs and abilities, they may change the way they view their autism or what they see as necessary support.

Autism Advice for Parents

Shannon hosts the Autism Live podcast and is involved in many other projects like Stories From The Spectrum. Between these and her book and other involvements, Shannon wants to be a support, source of knowledge, and beacon of hope for parents out there who don’t know what to do whether they’re waiting on a diagnosis or overwhelmed with a new one.

Shannon Penrod on the Turn Autism Around Podcast

Shannon Penrod is the Host of Autism Live, currently the #1 rated Autism Podcast worldwide. Born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, Shannon holds an MFA in Acting and was an award-winning stand-up comedienne before giving birth to her son Jem. When Jem was diagnosed with autism at the age of 2 ½, Shannon devoted herself to helping her son learn to communicate and navigate the world. Now, Shannon is on a mission to help other caregivers find the path to help their children lead successful lives. Previously, Shannon hosted The Everyday Autism Miracles radio show, and she delights in performing her one-woman comedy show, The Autism Mamalogues. Her new book, Autism: Parent to Parent, Sanity Saving Advice for Every Parent with a Child on the Autism Spectrum, is available at all major booksellers. Shannon’s son is now 19 years old, a sophomore in college, on the Dean’s List and working a j-o-b!

You’ll Learn

Advice for autism parents.
Regressions, skill loss, and other concerns…does this mean autism?
Finding a diagnosis and receiving treatment amidst long waitlists.
How to cope with big feelings and guilt during autism diagnosis, treatment, and beyond.
A journey of hope, Shannon and Jem’s autism story.
Autism Parent to Parent, a companion book to Turn Autism Around.
Transitioning to adulthood, important skills for young adults with autism.

Resources