Once upon a time in a world that often felt like uncharted territory 

Once upon a time in a world that often felt like uncharted territory, there lived a group of mothers facing a unique and sometimes overwhelming journey.

These women were united by a common thread – raising autistic children. The weight of their parenting journey is undeniably heavier than those families untouched by autism.

In a world where every day brings new discoveries and unexpected twists, they faced a reality that often tested their resilience.

It is a journey that has its fair share of challenges, but amidst the trials, a tale of resilience, courage, and unwavering support emerged.

These mothers were determined not to let the difficulties define their experience.

Together, they embraced the reality that their journey is different, and in that acceptance, they found strength.

The mothers in this story recognized the danger of comparisons. Instead of measuring their children against others, they focused on the progress made every day. Small victories became celebrations, and they learned to appreciate the uniqueness of their children's journeys.

In doing so, they discovered the importance of celebrating themselves as well, for every day brought new lessons in navigating a parenting path they were not prepared for.

Facing adversity head-on was a recurring theme in their story. These mothers understood the courage required to be different.

They learned not to minimize the challenges they faced, and that it's okay to acknowledge that sometimes it is chaos, and it's not fun. They allowed themselves to cry and feel the weight of those difficult moments.

Over time, they embraced the uniqueness of their families and learned to find joy in the progress their children made. They faced adversity with boldness, standing up for their children during the most challenging times.

They understood that being different was not a weakness but a source of strength.

They resisted the pull of isolation, loneliness, and sadness and instead, they learned to be present, to actively participate in their lives and in the lives of their children.

They decided to not let the hard moments define their experience.

This community of women became a support system, a beacon of hope in the darkest moments. Together, they navigated the path forward, learning from each other and growing stronger as a collective force.

Their story isn’t about just smiling and being happy, that’s not reality but instead, it’s about taking steps towards acceptance and growth.

Through difficult times, they formed a support system, helping each other see a path forward through the challenges.

They found solace in the knowledge that they were not alone.

They learned that their journey is worth celebrating, and in embracing the uniqueness of their families, they discovered a profound sense of joy and fulfillment.

This journey continues, and these moms walk together, hand in hand, supporting each other through the pages of their shared story.

These women are Not Your Average Autism Moms.
I am so grateful to have each and every one of them as part of my village!