Join the Neurodivergent Parenting Community: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/membership

Connect with Samantha: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/

Samantha and Lauren discuss the third step after a child is diagnosed with autism: building a support system. They recap the first two steps—learning about autism by getting curious about your own child and connecting with autistic adults and other parents, and applying early for resources like Medicaid and therapy waitlists.

They validate how overwhelming ongoing therapies and frequent specialist appointments can be, emphasizing that parenting isn’t meant to be done alone and that some family or friends may not provide the support you expect, making it okay to set boundaries or create distance.

They outline professional supports (pediatricians, therapists, mental health providers) and personal supports (spouses, friends, online communities), encourage learning from parents further along while avoiding comparison, and note research linking parental support to lower stress and improved outcomes.

00:00 Welcome and Recap
00:57 Why Support Matters
01:43 Overwhelm and Appointments
04:08 Finding Your Village
04:56 When Family Isn’t Supportive
07:49 Professional Support Team
10:01 Emotional Support and Community
11:29 Learn From Others Avoid Comparison
14:50 Support Groups and Action Step
16:18 Three Takeaways and Closing

Connect with Samantha Foote!

Website: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everybrainisdifferent