252. Stranger Danger, Autism & Online Risks: When Safety Isn't Simple
Jan 08, 2026How do you teach stranger danger to autistic kids — without creating fear?
In this episode of the Not Your Average Autism Mom Podcast, Shannon Urquiola dives into a topic so many parents worry about but rarely feel confident navigating. Inspired by a question from a follower, Valencia Shannon, this episode explores what “stranger danger” really looks like for autistic children and why traditional advice often falls short.
Shannon walks you through:
- Why autistic kids experience safety, fear, and impulse control differently
- How to teach safe vs. unsafe situations instead of relying on fear-based messaging
- Real life scenarios you can practice with your child in public, at school and online
- The very real dangers of online gaming, social platforms and sextortion
- Why supervision and monitoring are not about control — they're about protection
Shannon also shares personal stories about her son Jordan, including why, at 29, safety planning and supervision are still necessary due to impulse control and lack of fear — and how meeting your child where they are is not failure, it’s love.
💙 For moms in the Not Your Average Autism Mom privatemembership: Two parent resource downloads are available in the portal and the Village resource section to support you with online monitoring tools.
This episode is compassionate, practical, and honest — because teaching safety doesn’t have to come from fear. It comes from preparation.
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Join The Not Your Average Autism Mom Movement group on FB
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