From Soccer Mom to Autism Mom

“I can’t do this anymore!” Mary thought as she tried to stay calm snatching up her son just before he ran into the parking lot again. Another near miss. Charlie, her 5 year old son, had few words, little interest in the other kids, and instead sat beside his only captivated by the wheels of his little toy truck. Mary turned her attention towards her other son’s soccer game when out of the corner of her eye she saw Charlie on his feet sprinting full speed to who knows where. He had no fear. Impulsive. And it felt exhausting.

Charlie struggled against Mary as she headed back to the soccer field where her other son Tate was playing. Would life ever be normal again?

She thought she had this mom thing down. For years she’d thrown herself into a mom routine, nurturing and directing her other four energetic children. From soccer mom to homeroom mom and everything in between.

But…Nothing prepared her to be an autism mom. But here she was. Feeling alone and wondering if there was hope.

-Annslee Urban (Author, Mother, MSN Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner)

Finding Your Community as an Autism Mom

Being a mom of a child with autism can feel lonely, and although autism awareness continues to gain ground, the average person doesn’t really understand what autism is. Finding a community that understands the struggle of autism can bring hope to families. Dr. Regina Crone, founder of Therapy and Beyond, is a local expert in autism and dedicated to community givebacks with events that bring families together. Dr. Crone shares that, “an important part of finding your community is learning to lean on others who are on the same journey as you.” The locally hosted annual Mom’s Mingles by Therapy and Beyond is helping mothers do just that that by building a community of moms impacted by autism, who may otherwise feel alone. One mom at a recent event stated, “Last night, I spoke with other moms who understood me. We made connections, shared stories, struggles, tips, and I walked away feeling like this autism journey my son and I are on is a little less impossible.”

This year over 1,000 autism moms have been touched by these events and many have left with meaningful friendships to navigate autism together. As one parent attending said, “I sometimes can’t put into words how I feel, and just being with others who walk the same road has brought me great comfort and encouragement to know that I can do this.”  

Whether you are a new or seasoned mom touched by autism, there is hope and a community waiting to embrace you. Get connected. You are not alone. 

Understanding the Signs of Autism

While finding your autism community is important, when an autism diagnosis is suspected it is important to seek a medical evaluation. Autism is characterized by challenges in the areas of language, social skills and behaviors. Some common indicators of autism are listed below. However, it is a spectrum disorder and each individual is unique. 

Limited Language

Delayed language development, very few meaningful words, repetitive words or phrases (echolalia), and problem behavior becomes evident when they are frustrated to communicate

Social Skills Challenges

Avoiding eye contact, not pointing to objects to share interests, difficulty engaging in other’s interests, and difficulty playing or imitating peers

Behavioral Barriers

Repetitive behaviors such as rocking, flapping, spinning etc., preferring routines and resistant to change, and is easily bothered by sounds, textures, lights, ect.

Dr. Regina Crone, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA is the Founder/CEO of Therapy and Beyond, a provider of Medical Treatment for Autism providing ABA, Speech & OT. She also developed the Teach Me Academy to address the unique educational needs of Autism. One of their stated organizational core values is demonstrating social responsibility, which has led them to becoming instrumental  in positively impacting the autism community. They provide hundreds of free resources and events across Texas, Oklahoma and Colorado to encourage hope and build community. Some of these events include: Splash Days, Family Tailgate Parties, Fall Festivals, Trunk or Treats, Santa’s Helpers Holiday Camps, Mom’s Mingles and more. They partner with trusted local nonprofits to help families find local resources. To find events in your area or learn more about services visit therapyandbeyond.com.