Thriving Moms of Autistics

Hi Moms! It’s not uncommon for relationships to change once we become parents. We might have less in common with our childless friends or our friends with neurotypical children do not have the same challenges and tend to stay away. We isolate ourselves as a result.  In this episode, I explore how different individuals can come together with a similar cause and create support and balance in the pro...

Hi Moms! There is a lot going on in our world today. We’ve been impacted by the pandemic, economic changes, a national shortage of autism specialists, long wait lists for treatment, and increased crime rates. The list goes on and on. There are many changes occurring right now in my state regarding Medicaid, which greatly impacts families of autistics. These elements of life add to the typical chal...

Hi Moms! In previous episodes, I’ve explored stressors for moms of autistics. One stressor that is pretty consistent across the board is the disapproving look or words from others.  This can happen with strangers, friends, or family. It can happen in public places, schools, or in private in one’s home. One might say, “Who cares what others think?” Well, it’s not that easy. It’s one thing when some...

Hi Moms! We are going to start this episode with some difficult truths, but it will end with some revelations about overcoming and embracing the future with hope and resilience.   It’s been a difficult few years for people all over the world. The pandemic has had such an impact on adults and children.  According to CDC, 48,183 people died by suicide in the United States in 2021. That is 1 death ev...

Hi Moms! Is it challenging to build a supportive community that lasts in your autism journey? Parents of autistics face many challenges, which arise from the unique demands of raising an autistic, the diverse experiences and needs of group members, as well as external factors outside of the group.  The additional pressures can be overwhelming for moms, who are already saddled with an abundance of...

Hi Moms! Do you find yourself running out of steam often? Does it feel like there are not enough hours in the day to get everything done? Do you skip self-care to save time? It is not uncommon for moms of young autistics to experience these challenges. In this episode, I address the unique challenges moms face that make it difficult to find time for themselves while caring for the child’s needs. ...

Episode Transcript Hi Moms! It’s been quite a few weeks in the Wilson household. Okay, it’s always a little wild. One thing is for sure. It is never dull.  My son likes to create magic in his room. He has been building a city for months and longs for periods of peace and quiet to construct his current project.  We try to give him some autonomy and space to do so. He is very independent and likes t...

Hi Moms! In the last episode, I shared how learning to stay a step ahead of your child allows you to stay calm when your child escalates, which is the ultimate self-care tip.  But that is only part of it. Escalation can be exhausting even when you as a mom stay relatively calm in the process. The aftermath can still be difficult.  In this episode, I explore how to maintain harmony once your child...

Hi Moms! I wanted to share the best self-care tip I have found to date. It isn’t yoga, meeting up with friends, or a massage. As nice as these things sound, they are only immediate fixes.  Nope! I am talking about something more long term. It’s the same concept for all moms but varies by mom and child.  I notice that this comes easier for moms that are more like their child and might be on the spe...

Hi Moms! I had a conversation recently with a group of women about mental health and trauma. Someone added to the conversation that we don’t heal alone. We heal in the presence of others. That’s how we were made. What a great point! Modern society tells us that we can do it all ourselves and should take pride in that, which might contribute to the greater levels of depression and anxiety we are al...

Hi Moms! I recently shared how one of my innate strengths got me through a sticky situation at a carnival with my son. I did not realize that courage was one of my strengths for the longest time.  Once I recognized it in Junior High, it opened a lot of doors for me and allowed me to get through some hard times.  Recognizing it was one thing. I had to strengthen that muscle of courage over the year...

Hi Moms! In the last episode, I started with this question. “Are you the same person you were before you had an autistic child?” Now I want you to consider another question. Are you the same person 10 or 20 years ago?  You all know that I am an older mom. I did not have my son until I was 41. Still, I am a different person with every passing decade. That is how life works, right? It is a beautiful...

Hi Moms! Are you the same person you were before you had an autistic child? Of course not! However, there might be parts of your strengths that you developed after having your child.  Developing parts of ourselves over time is normal. I am not the same person I was in my 20’s and that had nothing to do with having a child. It is part of normal adult development over the life span.  I am talking ab...

Hi Moms! Can you do it all yourself? Sometimes, it feels like you must. It is hard to find someone else who gets it.  I know it was like that for us for the longest time. I want to make clear that there are amazing people in our lives that try to understand.  But it is hard to “truly” know unless you have had that experience as a parent dealing with special needs. However, we absolutely appreciate...

Hi Moms! It is such a privilege to meet with you every week to explore those aspects of life we share as moms of autistics. I love research exploring to find new ways to help you be the best mom you can be.  Not only do I read the research, but I also test it out myself. Thriving Moms of Autistics was built on the foundation of research and experience. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for bri...

Hi Moms! As moms, we invest much of our time into our autistic child. They have additional needs that must be met. It is much different than parenting a neurotypical child.  This can put a strain on moms and increases their “mom load” in a variety of ways. So how do you manage your mom load effectively as a mom of an autistic?  I have explored the concept of mom strengths in numerous past episodes...

Hi Moms! When I started my training in the field of psychology 30 years ago, things were so different. We knew very little about autism in comparison to now.  Even though, it had been around for decades. Increased research has led to increased knowledge. This influenced our understanding and improved diagnostic tools, which changed the diagnostic criteria for the DSM 5. As a result, the numbers of...

Hi Moms! When you are overwhelmed, it is hard to shift your thinking away from your to-do list or whatever is stirring at the moment. BUT it is possible even if it takes a hot minute to make it happen.  In episode 30, I explored staying calm as you climb the many mountains in life as an autism mom. Also, I looked at incorporating new events with your child and managing stress around that.  In this...

Hi Moms! When your child was first diagnosed, you had a million questions and a million more fears and what ifs. The fear of the unknown is strong during this time.  As your child and their development grows, you consider new possibilities. In this episode, I explore the importance of self-care when you are entering a new territory with your child.  Find the full transcript for this episode at www...

Hi Moms! All autistics have individualized needs. Raising an autistic child is not one size fits all. All children are different. However, there is a common thread for moms that can lead to their success. In this episode, I explore a hack for moms of autistics that can make their lives easier across the board. You will be thriving before you know it. The key is to practice and grow your new Jedi m...

Hi Moms! I hope you all had a wonderful Mother’s Day. Raising any child can be stressful.  It is one thing to wonder if your child is making friends, being bullied, or trying to figure out how to get them to all their therapy appointments. Throw in constant safety concerns and IEP meetings and you end up in fight or flight mode. You know exactly what I mean! In this episode, I talk about the level...

Hi Moms! I went to a retreat over the weekend for moms of children with special needs and thought what a perfect time to talk about self-care. I was surrounded by moms just like me that were pinching themselves because they don’t do things like this. Many have never been away from their children. Sound familiar? In this episode, I talk about how engaging in self-care can change your path for the b...

Hi Moms! We’ve been talking about developing a supportive community. Building your support system can be challenging for many reasons. Check out Episode 20 to further explore the barriers or go to www.thrivingmomsofautistics.com under “ Create Community ” for a list of episodes related to this topic.  In this episode, we explore what happens when someone in your supportive community lets you down....

Hi Moms! Early on in my autism journey, I felt alone and scared. My husband was on the journey with me, but we were floundering and trying to learn all we could. It was hard.  I thought being a part of a mom group would help, but it didn’t. It hindered me in some ways because of their discomfort and inexperience with autism. They too were in denial.  Many did their best to support me. I will forev...

Hi Moms! Life is full of ups and downs. It can be hard to navigate the waters of autism. Some days the waters are choppy, and it’s smooth sailing the next. Some days are a rolling mix! I am with you mama! I get it! This is why I started this podcast and working with other moms. In this episode, we explore that there will always be obstacles in life. So, how can you, what I call “ flip the switch”...