Bridging the Gap: Overcoming Isolation for Moms of Autistic Children

Thriving Moms of Autistics

Hi Moms! I have yet to meet an autism mom that hasn’t struggled with feeling isolated.

In this episode, we will dive deeper into the common challenges of finding others who get autism or those who are willing to learn and offer support. Our well-being takes a hit because we weren’t meant to tackle life’s challenges alone.

Find the full transcript for this episode at

www.thrivingmomsofautistics.com/72

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How Social Connections Change the Trajectory of an Autism Mom’s Journey

The biggest barriers to achieving community are related to the unique challenges that moms of autistics face. It is hard for others to understand these experiences when they haven’t had them themselves.

We often hear…They’ll eat what you cook when they get hungry enough.” OR “Can’t you just spank the autism out of them?”

Many have misconceptions about autism and jump to conclusions as a result. That doesn’t mean they can’t change their minds.

Perhaps if they knew more about autism, their views might change. Knowledge is powerful and makes all the difference.

There are people that simply don’t have the information and are willing to learn more. We all develop a point of view based on our past experiences and the information we have at the time.

If someone is willing to learn and think critically about autism, that might be someone who can be part of positive change.

On the other hand, there are many families of autistics that are isolated because of their challenges and other misconceptions. You aren’t the only one.

Imagine if parents came together to bridge that gap? How amazing would that be?

I have heard many stories of how moms of autistics have worked hard to survive through the difficult times. Their grit is phenomenal! However, it’s not sustainable.

This is why creating a supportive community is so critical.

Where Do Autism Moms Find Community?

Well, it’s different for everybody. Some additional barriers to finding community are time and not having someone to watch your child.

So, how do you overcome these challenges? Building community takes time.

Although time is limited, you can take small steps to achieve this. Unfortunately, moms do not feel they can prioritize things like building a community or self-care.

But when they do, it changes their world for the better. And that’s because building a community is self-care.

Since building a community is different for each mom, I encourage you to write a list of barriers to building your support system.

Ask yourself, what do you have to lose by taking small steps to work on this?

Lastly, start a working list of people or groups that might be part of your supportive community. Keep this list and add to it as you go. Make notes along the way.

This is a great place to start!

To all the moms out there raising autistic children, remember that you're not alone. By seeking support, nurturing meaningful connections, and prioritizing self-care, you can overcome feelings of isolation and thrive on this journey.