Loneliness as an Autism Parent: Life Without Words

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 Being an autism mom is something I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world... but it’s also something I never could have fully prepared for. It’s a journey filled with love, pride, and moments of pure joy, but it’s also one of the loneliest paths I’ve ever walked.

People don’t talk enough about the loneliness.


When your child has severe autism, the playdate invitations slow down, and then they stop altogether. Birthday parties become overwhelming events that you avoid... not because you don’t want to celebrate with others, but because you’re trying to protect your child from the sensory overload and yourself from the stares and judgments.

You watch other kids hit milestones your child hasn’t reached, and you smile because you’re happy for them-but deep down, it stings. It’s an ache that’s hard to put into words.


Even the most well-meaning friends and family can’t always understand what your days are like. They might say, “Oh, my kid is picky too,” or “All kids have meltdowns,” but it’s not the same. Wyatt’s challenges go deeper, last longer, and require a level of vigilance that most people can’t imagine.

The constant explaining, the endless appointments, the anxiety over the unknown—it’s isolating.

The loneliness isn’t just about being physically alone. It’s about feeling like no one truly gets it. It’s watching the world move on while you’re stuck in a reality that few understand. It’s grieving the expectations you had while celebrating the victories that only another autism parent would see as victories.

In that loneliness, though, there’s also something beautiful. You learn to appreciate the smallest moments...like when Wyatt laughs at a silly song or cuddles close to me. You find strength in yourself you didn’t know you had. And when you do connect with another autism parent, the bond is instant and deep, because they do get it.

If you’re reading this and nodding along, feeling that same ache—I see you. I know how heavy this road can feel. But we’re not truly alone. There are other moms walking this path, even if we’re not always walking side by side.

Reach out. Connect. Share your story. Because even in the loneliness, there’s community to be found.

 To my fellow autism moms: you’re not alone, even when it feels like it


Kerri


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