Switching gears is common for moms of autistics. Our minds work differently. So we need to be quick and flexible.
We can scan the room for potential dangers and precursors like it’s an Olympic sport. In this episode, I’ll share how you can use this superpower for your own personal growth.
Find the full transcript at thrivingmomsofautistics.com/2
Parenting Autistics is Not the Same as Parenting Neurotypicals
Have you ever thought, “Boy, I could have handled that differently!”
Moms are human too. Many moms of autistics also have neurotypical children. Raising autistics is different in so many ways.
This is why our parenting decisions are so confusing to those without the experience of an autistic child. As moms, we carry the weight of those misconceptions, which adds to our personal stress.
Like our young autistics, we view the world differently. And for good reason.
So how do you lighten your load?
The Role of Positive Psychology in your Autism Journey
Positive psychology has been around for about 25 years now. Before teaching and researching positive psychology, it was something I often used in my daily life and clinical practice. I noticed the power of using one’s strengths to overcome difficulty and challenges.
Our thoughts and beliefs are so powerful. Human beings naturally think negatively at times. It’s in our nature. Some individuals are more negative than others. This impacts our experience as moms of autistics.
You can get stuck in repeating negative thoughts and behaviors. But you deserve better!
What if you could change the course of your journey? How different would your life be?
Over the years, I became more aware of how I viewed and handled challenges. Through experimentation, I found ways to overcome these challenges and change my journey.
Moms of Autistics Living Positive Centered Lives
As a result, I started living a positive centered life. I developed this term because it speaks to how I have developed over time in my practice and my autism journey.
One leads a positive centered life by becoming more aware of their thoughts and beliefs and switching gears when needing to change course. This means catching cognitive distortions.
I refer to cognitive distortions as stinking thinking. These are negative thoughts that keep you trapped in an endless cycle. You can’t win with this type of thinking.
Sound familiar?
You deserve to win! In my signature program, I help moms use positive psychology to evolve in their autism journey. We partner together in their pursuit to lead a positive centered life.
Are you currently living a positive centered life?
Review Your Autism Journey
Consider these statements …
When my child is struggling in public, I focus on their needs, but feel judged and overwhelmed. It bothers me.
When my child says or does things that others view as strange, I hold onto that and think I need to do better.
I never have the time to take care of myself because I devote all my time to my child and family.
I wish I had someone in my life that gets what I am going through. I feel so alone.
Sometimes it feels like it’s not going to get better.
People don’t understand my life.
Do any of these statements resonate with you? It doesn’t have to be this way! You deserve more in your autism journey.
It’s not impossible. You have strengths within you that you never imagined before. There are people who get it and want to support you. I want to support you!
I changed my journey and you can change yours too!
