March 16, 2017

My Journey As An Autism Mom-Video

Kate and boys

There were two huge things I needed in the beginning of my Autism mom journey. I needed someone to tell me what to do and I needed someone to validate me. I kept seeking out a friend or a mom or a doctor that could understand what I was going through, validate how hard it was and tell me what direction to take. I never found it. There were times when I’d joke that I wasn’t qualified to make these huge, life changing decisions for another person. I wasn’t an Autism expert. I wasn’t a doctor or a therapist. And that scared me more than I can put into words. I felt, and still do at times, that I am just winging it. And that’s OK. I’ve come to accept that my journey as an Autism mom is my own. No one else is on my journey but Cooper and our family. I just have to do the best that I can and keep Cooper at the center of every decision.

So, I will validate you…This is hard stuff. You are doing a great job. And you are paving your own path. Keep fighting.

 

I needed Someone to Validate Me and Tell Me what To Do

There were two huge things I needed in the beginning of my Autism mom journey. I needed someone to tell me what to do and I needed someone to validate me. I kept seeking out a friend or a mom or a doctor that could understand what I was going through, validate how hard it was and tell me what direction to take. I never found it. There were times when I’d joke that I wasn’t qualified to make these huge, life changing decisions for another person. I wasn’t an Autism expert. I wasn’t a doctor or a therapist. And that scared me more than I can put into words. I felt, and still do at times, that I am just winging it. And that’s ok. I’ve come to accept that my journey as an Autism mom is my own. And no one else is on my journey. And I just have to do the best that I can and keep Cooper at the center of every decision.

So, I will validate you…This is hard stuff. You are doing a great job. And you are paving your own path. Keep fighting. #autism

Posted by Finding Cooper’s Voice on Thursday, March 16, 2017

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Kate Swenson

Kate Swenson lives in Minnesota with her husband Jamie, and four children, Cooper, Sawyer, Harbor and Wynnie. Kate launched Finding Cooper's Voice from her couch while her now 11-year-old son Cooper was being diagnosed with autism. Back then it was a place to write. Today it is a living, thriving community of people who want to not only advocate for autism, but also make the world a better place for individuals with disabilities and their families. Her first book, Forever Boy, will be released, April 5, 2022.

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2 Comments

  1. Chasity Hunt on March 17, 2017 at 2:01 am

    I know exactly how you feel!… my son Jacob, He has recently been diagnosed being on the Autism Spectrum Disorder… so many times I would take him to get him evaluated and they would say it’s hard to diagnose him. I felt like It was all in my head, that I was imagining it. At the beginning of it, I did feel alone!, but knowing that my Lord is their walking with me! He is the one who is guiding us down this beautiful hard road. I will be keeping you and your family in my prayers.



  2. Melissa on March 21, 2017 at 1:22 pm

    I’m so thankful for you Shari your thought and fears and being honest. It is all so true. My son just turned 7 this month and we’ve had the same journey and it is so lonely and I’ve cried so many times to my husband saying exactly what you were “is it supposed to be this hard?” All I ever wanted growing up was to be a mom. I didn’t want a career, I just wanted to be a stay at home mom and I thought it would be easier for me since I really wanted it so when it was harder then it seemed to be for other moms I doubted everything, thinking maybe I really wasn’t cut out to be a mom. And that validation you talk about? You just have that to me so thank you!