Hi Moms! Who are you surrounded by in your journey? Are you alone when it comes to support?

Or do you have a small number of people around you who understand autism and support you?

You might have a mix of people who get autism with those who don’t. Regardless of where you are in your journey, you won’t want to miss this.

In this episode, we dive into building the support you need for your autism journey starting with where you are based on your needs.

Find the full transcript for this episode at https://thrivingmomsofautistics.com/91

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Can Moms Manage Their Autism Journey Successfully on Their Own or With Limited Support?

In previous episodes, I mentioned the early years of my journey and how I lacked community. Things were very different then.

My husband and I believed that we were doing well on our own. Afterall, it is hard to help others understand autism.

They often have many preconceived ideas about autism. It’s hard to understand something so complex when you have little to no experience with it.

I was a psychologist, so I figured that between me and my husband, we could handle it.

That sounded good, right? But it wasn’t realistic. We needed more. Our lives changed so much once we made the decision to invite others in. The right people, of course.

What Does a Positive Community Look Like for an Autism Mom?

The autism experience has its ups and downs as with anything in life. Sometimes people don’t understand the “why” behind the behavior.

They don’t understand how autistics experience the world differently based on their sensory needs. As humans, we often make assumptions about things we don’t understand.

There is one thing I want you to remember. You only have control over you. Your thoughts… your actions… Others are responsible for themselves. They have to make the decision to get it or not.

A supportive community might look like connecting with other moms, support groups, professionals, and so much more.

When you meet someone who gets your experience, it is a huge relief. There is this beautiful shift that occurs.

Even if support is coming from a professional that deals with it from a different point of view, they can still support based on empathy and tips they have learned from other’s experiences. They genuinely want to help.

When I talk about the shift that occurs, I am referring to hope. That is the best example I can come up with. When I feel that shift in being supported, I feel hopeful, empowered, and more confident.

You deserve to have this too because the road we travel can be hard at times. The increased stress, anxiety, demands, and burnout have an impact on our mental health and well-being.

That is another reason why it is important to have a positive support system.

Here are some tips for finding your tribe:

1. Identify what works best for you. Only you know what a good fit is for you and your family.
2. Be mindful that online communities are wide open in terms of what might or might not be a fit for you. It is okay to keep scrolling when your values are different from other members.
3. Find professions that you mesh well with.
4. If someone (family or friend) pushes their ideas on you or refuse to be respectful of your beliefs and experiences, they are not likely a good fit for your supportive en