This episode is one of the most personal and vulnerable conversations I’ve ever shared. I’m opening up about my journey as an autism mom, from the early days of pregnancy and motherhood during the pandemic to navigating the realities of developmental delays, diagnoses, and advocacy.

What started as subtle concerns about speech delays turned into a life-changing journey through early intervention, therapy, and eventually receiving an official autism diagnosis for my son. Along the way, I’ve had to learn how to advocate fiercely, navigate complex systems, and redefine what motherhood looks like for me and my family.

This episode is about the hard moments, the emotional weight, and the unexpected beauty in this journey. It’s also about community, resilience, and learning to see strength in a path that looks different than what I once imagined.

Highlights Include

00:00 – Why this episode is deeply personal

02:00 – Pregnancy, birth, and early milestones during the pandemic

04:30 – First signs of speech delay and comparing developmental milestones

06:30 – The emotional impact of early evaluations

07:30 – Starting early intervention: speech and occupational therapy

09:00 – Transition to specialized preschool and navigating the system

11:00 – The hidden challenges of parenting a child with special needs

12:30 – Communication barriers and emotional regulation as a parent

14:00 – The moment I realized how much I’ve been carrying

16:40 – Understanding gestalt language processing

19:30 – Getting an official autism diagnosis

21:00 – Advocating for my son within the school system

23:30 – A “guardian angel” moment that changed everything

27:00 – The role of faith in navigating this journey

29:00 – Finding community and learning from other moms

30:30 – Lessons autism has taught me about boundaries and perspective

31:00 – A real-life parenting moment at the barbershop

33:00 – Choosing celebration during Autism Awareness Month

Links Mentioned in This Episode

• Save the Date: Start the Podcast That Builds Your Exit Plan (Friday, April 17)

Watch & Listen

Watch this episode on YouTube and listen on all podcast platforms:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/side-hustle-pro/id1126021323
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/13qDj08lBR4ymzGhXIKy8t
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/sidehustlepro

Announcements

If you’re ready to build a podcast that becomes your exit plan from your 9-to-5, sign up for my next live class: Start the Podcast That Builds Your Exit Plan

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Social Media

Side Hustle Pro – @sidehustlepro

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509: Opening Up About My Journey as an Autism Mom