📈 3 Simple Ways to Discover Joy on Your Autism Parenting Journey
- Jinnette Smith-Jackson
- Nov 10, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: Mar 19
"Mama, your child has autism spectrum disorder."
What went through your mind when you heard those words?
How did you feel?
What did you do?
For me, I went blank. I didn’t hear anything for a full minute after the school district’s speech pathologist told us. At first, it was just silence. Then my mind raced with questions: What does this mean? What will it mean for Peyton?
Then, all of a sudden there was the most unbelievable sense of relief. All I could think was “Finally! Finally, we have an answer!”.
And the only thing I managed to do was burst into tears.
“Don’t worry, she’s not sad. She’s happy for the answers.” my husband told the evaluators after I’d managed to answer his questioning look. 🥹
Today, looking back, I’m proud of how far Peyton’s come. Each step on this autism parenting journey is still full of questions and surprises, but it's also filled with joy, connection, and resilience.
Shortcuts
I have some handy shortcuts to help you navigate this post. Time is precious, especially with little ones around.
Your Autism Parenting Joy
How about you?
Do you remember when you first heard those words? “Your child has autism spectrum disorder.” That moment sticks, doesn’t it? Whether you felt shock, relief, or had a million questions, you’re not alone.
It can be easy to get overwhelmed by challenges and there's a lot of worry, confusion, and wondering what the future holds.
But joy can be part of this journey, too.
Here, we’re all about finding ways to celebrate those beautiful, often hidden moments of progress. This space is here to help you hold onto those moments and feel understood- where you know we “get it”.
Welcome to Your Blog
My name is Jinnette, mom of a funny, charismatic, smart, handsome, amazing little boy named Peyton, who happens to be autistic.
I’m also a paraprofessional in early childhood special ed and a home organizer for special needs families like ours.
In this inaugural post, I want to extend a warm welcome to you my fellow mom of an autistic child.
I want you to know that this isn’t just my blog or my journey. It’s your journey as well!
It’s our story, as I’m navigating this journey right along with you.
I see you in me, and me in you every day!
You have the same drive and determination as I do. You silently move and make decisions today to positively impact your child’s future.
About Our Journey Together
This blog is a place to share stories, find connections, and celebrate the incredible strength it takes to raise our autistic kiddos. I’ll be sharing the collective joy and wisdom of moms, educators, and other specialists in our autism community.
So, welcome! Let’s celebrate, share, and grow together.
What is an autism spectrum disorder (ASD)?
Let’s briefly break down what autism is, shall we? For a “new autism mom on the block”—or someone with suspicion or awaiting an evaluation—it helps to clarify things.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological condition affecting communication, social interactions, and sensory processing. Because it includes a range of symptoms, each autistic individual is unique. Your child’s experience will look different from any other.
Common Characteristics of Autism:
Communication Challenges: Your child might face speech and language delays or have difficulty interpreting non-verbal cues like gestures and facial expressions. Some children may be non-verbal altogether.
Social Challenges: Your child might struggle with making eye contact, understanding social cues, or participating in conversations. These difficulties can affect their ability to form friendships and engage in group activities.
Repetitive and Restrictive Behaviors: Sensory sensitivities can lead to repetitive actions like hand-flapping or intense focus on specific interests. These behaviors help your autistic child regulate themselves as they manage sensory overload or express frustration.
Peyton at 18 months old. 🥰
Looking back this is one of my first photographed moments of him stimming.
Short for "self-stimulatory behavior," stimming refers to repetitive movements or sounds that are commonly seen in individuals with autism. Your kiddo may stare at specific things for extended periods. This provides a calming effect for your child or helps them manage overstimulation in their environment.
The spectrum means that the combination and severity of these challenges vary from one person to the next. This is why you often hear,
"If you've met one person with autism, you've met one person with autism."
Now without further ado let’s talk about👇👇👇
📈 3 Simple Ways to Discover the Joy in Your Autism Parenting Journey
1. Find Ways to Understand and Connect with Your Autistic Child
Staying curious about autism will help you navigate the journey with more confidence and connection. Remember, your child is the best guide to understanding their needs.
If you don’t already do so, start with simple routines that bring comfort to both of you. A great time to connect can be at the end of the day, during bedtime.
For example, does your child, like many autistic kids, find it hard to settle down at night? Maybe they seem to have a second burst of energy just when it’s time for bed. This can be a perfect time to create a winding-down ritual that becomes a source of calm and connection.
For us, a routine has helped Peyton associate bedtime with relaxation and connection since he was a newborn. This makes it easier for both of us to end each day on a positive note.
Here’s part of our routine in action.
Check out the FREEBIES page for a customizable visual schedule inspired by ours!
2. Learn to Navigate the Challenges of Autism
Stay willing to learn. The fact that you’re here means you’re doing just that.
If you’re anything like me, this autism journey can feel like being in a constant classroom.
But with each challenge, don’t you feel like you build resilience and insight? For instance, aren't you always learning what works, what overwhelms, and what comforts your child? So trust yourself, trust your intuition; it's always guiding you.
And just take it one day at a time.
Mama,
I see your fierceness when you come up against those challenges.
Remember, that drive is your greatest asset in supporting your autistic child. Keep learning about how they experience the world. You already know what works for them, what overwhelms them, and what brings them comfort. You’re equipped to create the best life possible for your child.
If you’re looking for more insights, I highly recommend Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism by Barry Prizant, PhD. I love this book.
Before she even became "Ms. Speech" for Peyton, my speech pathologist colleague recommended I read it so I can better understand my sonshine.
It's a fresh perspective at how parents, caregivers, and educators can make a meaningful impact when they look at autism’s challenges in a new way.
3. Find Support in Your Autism Community
Hearing “Your child has autism spectrum disorder” can be life-altering. Connecting with a local autism mom’s support group can help realign your world—it's one of the best things you can do for yourself and your family.
Being part of my local autism community has been a game-changer for me. When I discovered support groups to help navigate our autism journey, I felt such a huge sense of relief.
Despite being an introvert, I took a leap of faith and reached out. Best decision ever!
Benefits of Joining an Autism Support Group:
- Shared Experiences: Connect with other moms facing similar challenges. Their knowledge can give you relief and guidance.
- Emotional Support: Be part of a caring community that’s open and generous.
- Encouragement and Resilience: Gain strength from “ausome moms” sharing stories of resilience and joy. These groups are safe spaces to vent or cry without fear of judgment.
In this blog, I’ll share stories from other “ausome moms” navigating the autism journey—so we can all feel uplifted and empowered.
A couple of organizations you can also look to for support and connection are the Autism Society and the National Autism Association.
Conclusion
Mama, your journey is challenging, no doubt about it. But it’s also filled with moments of joy, growth, and connection just keep seeking them out. By embracing your child’s individuality, connecting with others, and staying resilient, you’re creating a brighter future every day.
Join me as we celebrate our autistic kids’ achievements and support each other along the way.
I’d love to hear your stories—let’s lift each other up and keep going, together.
Join This Amazing Community of Autism Moms
Wanna be part of this community of mamas pouring into each other? Ready to take your autism parenting game to the next level... together?
📲Sign up to receive stories tips and hacks that will empower you to organize your daily life and find joy in every moment with your autistic child.
Want More of The Good Stuff?
Here’s what I’m reading/listening to right now to help me on this autism parenting journey as I support my Sonshine.
Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism by Barry M. Prizant, PhD. I’d be shouting this one from the rooftops if I could. It’s been blowing my mind how perfectly it articulates the autistic experience.
I read this one about 3 times already. About to read it again:
Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids by Kim John Payne and Lisa M. Ross.
This has been my reference book even before Peyton was diagnosed with autism. I guess it's just the organizer in me.
It gives parents a guide to reducing clutter, schedules, and distractions, to create a calmer, more nurturing environment that helps children thrive.
Both these books are game-changers!
Get your FREE Big Red Safety Box here. As parents, we're always concerned about the safety of our kiddos. However, there's an added concern for our autistic children. "The National Autism Association’s Big Red Safety Box ® is a free-of-charge safety toolkit for autism families in need of wandering-prevention tools."
P.S. Don't forget to grab Peyton's customizable visual bedtime schedule for your little one on my FREEBIES page.
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