The Spectrum of Support: When an Autism Mom’s Community Feels Empty

Thriving Moms of Autistics

Hi Moms! Welcome to a space created for moms like you with children on the spectrum. It’s a place to feel understood and know you are not alone.

In this episode, I explore a topic that all moms know all too well at least on some level. It is a hard, yet very important topic. I am talking about lacking a supportive environment or community.

Find the full transcript for this episode at

www.thrivingmomsofautistics.com/70

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When Moms of Autistics Don’t Have Others to Lean On

Having a network of like-minded individuals, who understand autism is like striking gold. There is so much power and strength in having such a community.

Unfortunately, many moms don’t have that. If they do, it is limited or underdeveloped.

Raising an autistic can be quite joyful, but there are times of great struggles. It is good to have others, who empathize rather than judge and support you through it. It’s a very lonely place to be at times.

I often hear stories of families, friends, providers, and even strangers in public that don’t understand raising an autistic child. There are so many misconceptions making it even more isolating.

People tend to assume that it is no different from raising a neurotypical child and that the same strategies work for autistics. That could not be further from the truth.

Some moms have found groups of moms raising neurotypical but find their misconceptions even more challenging and daunting. Their expectations are so different for themselves and others.

The looks and judgments are harmful even when unintended. It weighs heavily on moms and often leads to feelings of anxiety and depression. These stories are all too common.

Does this resonate with you?

The truth is that you are not alone. There are others like you. It’s just a matter of finding them. It’s not impossible to build a support system of individuals who understand autism.

I help moms create a supportive environment tailored to their needs so they can move towards thriving in their autism journey. For more information, go to the homepage of https://thrivingmomsofautistics.com/work-with-christina/ and click on “work with Christina.”

How Can Moms of Autistics Make a Shift Out of Isolation in the Meantime?

Building a solid support system takes time. Here are a couple ways to jumpstart your community.

1. Online Communities - Be cautious because not all online groups are created equal. Find one that suits your needs. There will always be one or two individuals that are difficult, but if you find a group with strong administrators, you will be supported. This is a great way to find others with similar experiences. This is a first step and does not replace in-person connections. It is a great resource and helps you see that there are others like you.
2. Providers and Other Professionals - All families have a team of professionals helping them. Be mindful of your choice of providers. If your child’s doctor doesn’t understand autism, they are not for you. Sometimes there are barriers that are difficult to get around but do your best. It might take time to find other options.

The road is not easy, but you have the strength and resilience to navigate through it. Continue to celebrate small wins along the way. And you are not alone and have options.

I hope this helps!

Let’s meet up again next week!