Unlocking Joy: How Changing Mindset Transforms the Autism Journey for Moms

Thriving Moms of Autistics

Hi Moms! Moms of autistics deal with challenges more consistently given their child’s needs. There are ups and downs in the journey.

The holidays are especially stressful. What stressors have you been confronted with in the last week or two?

Stop and imagine what it might look like to experience a less bumpy journey. What would it look like to feel confident and thrive in your autism journey as a mom?

In this episode, I focus on shifting from feeling weighed down and stressed to growth and feeling empowered. I offer examples of how to make the much-needed shift to a growth mindset.

Find the full transcript for this episode at www.thrivingmomsofautistics.com/59

Please share the podcast with other moms to help them grow in their autism journey. You can also do this by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. I appreciate you!

Can Shifting Mindset Create Resilience and Transformation in Moms of Autistics?

You are on a lifelong journey as a mom. There are seasons that occur along the way. You can remain stagnant or grow in your journey.

Mindset is an incredible tool that can get you stuck or help you navigate the joys and challenges of raising an autistic.

Positive shifts in one’s perspective can lead to greater acceptance, reduced stress, and an improved relationship with your child.

It might seem impossible at times, especially if you have held a fixed mindset over the years that has yielded negativity in your journey.

But it is possible for everyone to shift from a fixed to a growth mindset. It takes some time and practice. It might take longer from some, but they can get there.

How to Challenge Negative Thoughts, Cultivate Gratitude, and Embrace Self-Compassion as an Autism Mom

First, let’s practice!

Jessica is a mom of a young autistic and tends to have a fixed mindset. She works so hard to be patient and support her young son during his behaviors in public or in other people’s homes.

Jessica feels like she has successfully dealt well with a couple of issues in the car on the way to her family’s home to celebrate the holidays.

She feels good about this as things are going well in the first half hour of the visit but has a rush of anxiety when her child experiences a meltdown when the family member forgets to add chicken nuggets to the menu and is struggling with the holiday food items.

In Jessica’s mind:

I am a failure for not bringing the nuggets myself even though it was a three-hour trip and every place is closed.

I’ve let my son down and my family. I am not enough!

Why did we bother to leave the house. I knew I would drop the ball.

Jessica’s mindset focuses on what has gone wrong. She is paralyzed by her anxiety, which keeps her from moving forward and experiencing grace and problem solving the issue.

As a result:

There is a missed opportunity for learning for all involved. When issues arise, moms can offer some education as to why the child struggles with feeding issues driven by sensory needs.

She fails to notice the family members that are trying to support and understand.

She fails to see this as something that happens with many moms and that she is not superhuman. This is a learning opportunity for her too and an opportunity to plan differently next time.

Her anxiety fuels her self-doubt that she can do better in the future and is doomed to continue to fail.

What Autism Moms Can Do to Shift their Mindset and Grow?

With a growth mindset, Jessica could approach the situation differently:

"I'm proud of how hard I worked and what I learned in the process. He had a great beginning to the visit."

"Sharing his needs and why he respond