Hi Moms! Facing the unique challenges of raising an autistic can feel very heavy. If I said that there are ways to lighten your load, would you jump on it?

You might not believe it is even possible. But I know it is because I have experienced it myself. There is also years of research that supports it.

In this episode, I share our common experiences and how you can leverage your own innate tools to overcome challenges.

Find the full transcript for this episode at https://thrivingmomsofautistics.com/89

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Common Experiences of Autism Moms

One of the biggest barriers for any autistic child is communication. As moms we become quite skillful at determining our child’s concerns and needs.

However, there are times we miss the mark, which is completely normal. This can feel overwhelming for moms and their children. We want to support our children the best we can.

Moms typically become very in tune with their child’s heightened or reduced sensitivity to sensory inputs. Depending on the child, this leads to meltdowns or withdrawal. Again, there is no perfect calculation for moms to catch this every time.

Transitions and schedule changes often pose issues. Sometimes, moms cannot plan for these. It happens and will happen in the future.

These are things all autism moms experience. The good news is there are things that can help, especially when the unexpected occurs.

When Moms Harness Their Innate Strengths, It Is a Game Changer

Innate just means something within you. Something you are born with whether you are aware of it or not.

What are your superpowers? Everyone has them, but you can’t use them if you’re not aware of them.

Your strengths are key to thriving in the midst of challenges. When you leverage your strengths in these difficult times, you change the outcome.

Sometimes, we feel there is nothing we can do. But we do have some power. Acknowledging this allows for hope.

We are unique individuals and do not all have the same strengths. These are things you are born with. They are a part of you. Once you are aware of your strengths, you can use and grow them like building a muscle.

Here are some examples of strengths that can be used when difficulties arise.

1. Perseverance- Moms with the strength of perseverance do not give up easily and see things to the end. This is associated with courage.
2. Prudence- Prudent moms tend to think things through in the process. They consider the consequences and proceed with caution, wisdom, and reason.
3. Social Intelligence- Moms with higher social intelligence are able to understand their own behaviors and the behaviors of others based on experiences of what has worked and what has not in the past.

They are able to pick up on things relatively quickly. This is an important strength to have when faced with challenges.

So, what are your strengths? This is hard to identify for all of us. Ask yourself, “What do I do well?

If you are still having trouble, remember that everyone has strengths. Ask someone who knows you well to offer their insights into your strengths. Ask a few people if you can.

This is so important because your strengths help you uniquely tackle challenges that often occur.

I hope this helps and I look forward to our time together nex