In honor of National Autism Month, we wanted to share with you some excellent resources to help you. Parenting a child with autism during ‘regular’ times takes a lot of resources, but with everything going on in the world today, it’s even more imperative that you have the resources for you and your child to keep everyone calm, collected and able to handle the day-to-day unknowns.
We want you to feel connected and empowered even through these difficult days of the pandemic. We know your struggles are even deeper when you parent a child with autism. Having your village ripped out from underneath you is something no one will understand unless they have the same struggles. The blogs we chose help you feel less alone, more empowered, and provide you with great ideas to keep going strong.
Check out some of the top blogs below to help you be the best parent you can be.
Alicia Trautwein knows what it’s like to raise not just one child on the spectrum, but several. After realizing how hard it was to find resources for moms just like her, Alicia set out to start her own blog. Alicia covers all of the information you need whether it’s learning how to balance your own needs with your children’s’ or understanding diagnoses and what to do next, you’ll find advice from all angles that help you throughout your journey.
If you’re feeling alone, you’ll love Katie from Finding Cooper’s voice. Katie is a mom of a child with non-verbal autism that was feeling very alone in your journey. She started the blog to get her thoughts out and to possibly connect with others in the same boat. Today, she helps thousands of moms feeling the exact same way – you are not alone and there is plenty of support out there.
Melissa Finch is a previous special education teacher that shares her knowledge about teaching children with autism. She shares tips and amazing resources for teachers and parents alike. She focuses on education, helping parents and teachers learn how to best communicate with and teach children on the spectrum. She offers valuable videos as well as blogs with tips you can use in your own child’s life.
Rob Gorski, the author of The Autism Dad is a single dad of three boys on the spectrum. He gives very honest recounts of what goes on in his house – both the good and the bad. His posts are honest, lighthearted, and relatable from a man’s perspective. Rob puts it all out there, letting you see his mistakes and wins, just like you probably have in your own homes.
The Autistic Mama has six kids, each with different needs. She offers free resources and an incredible blog that gives tips, advice, and just downright helps you feel less alone in your parenting struggles. Something that makes Autistic Mama even more special, though, is that she has autism too! Her advice and tips are real advice coming from someone that goes through it themselves – she is an inspiring mama that can help you feel more empowered in your own parenting.
Jessica Watson, the author of Four Plus an Angel has five children – one child has autism, and one child is an angel (she was a triplet that died shortly after birth). Jessica keeps life very real, talking about the struggles of parenting a child with autism as well as the importance of living every day to its fullest and never taking anyone for granted. She discusses real-life tips as well as provides help with grief issues that many parents experience themselves and she does so in a relatable way.
If you’re looking for a female perspective on autism, you’ve found it in Her Autism. The blog is for women with autism as well as moms of girls with autism. The author focuses on living your best life and how to make it happen, no matter your circumstances in life. Heather Galloway, the author, has autism, so she understands the everyday struggles women go through whether in regards to fashion, relationships, health, or your home.
The Art of Autism celebrates the talents of people on the autism spectrum. It showcases amazing works of art, whether drawings, written pieces, videos, or any other form of art. It also shows off works of art of caregivers of those with autism. It’s a beautiful selection of art pieces that are sure to pull at your heartstrings, give you ideas, and just give you a chance to unwind and relax from the stressors of life.
It’s important that you take care of yourself as a caregiver of someone on the spectrum. Whether you are caring for your children yourself or you have help – everyone needs time for themselves. These blogs are meant to help you feel less alone and more empowered in your decisions.
Life has taken an unprecedented turn for the country, and now is a time for all of us to pull together as much as we can. We hope that you enjoy these blogs and that they provide you with a sense of peace and wellbeing during such difficult times. Turn to them for advice, support, or just a way to escape the daily rigor of life as we all navigate our new normal for the time being.
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