Lonely. How do I meet other moms of autistic kids?

[Anonymous]

I would love to meet other moms that can relate. I don't use Facebook and am feeling a little lost.

[Anonymous]

Use Facebook

[Anonymous]

I had a severely disabled sibling and in the 90s my mom was part of a group called MAMS (moms agains madness) for moms of disabled kids. They had mom-only meetings and we also used to go to family BBQs and other events and all the disabled kids could be themselves around families that understood. It was a nice group! Not sure if something like that exists now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would love to meet other moms that can relate. I don't use Facebook and am feeling a little lost.

Dr. Dan Shapiro has weekly support group meetings and I have just either brought up in the conversation or in the chat that I am looking for playdates or to connect with other moms and I have met a few that way. Check out parent child journey website for his programs including the free weekly support group

[Anonymous]

Thanks. For the PP who said Use Facebook... what specifically? The "moms groups" I've seen on there are not specific to this area and seem to focus mainly on ABA chatter.

[Anonymous]

I’m a mom of 3—one child with ASD and 2 medically complex kids—and I’ve been thinking of starting a peer-to-peer support group for moms of neurodivergent/disabled kids for lack of a good local resource for something like this. Do any DCUM parents have interest? I am thinking a monthly meet up over coffee or the like that might have corollary playground dates for the kids? I have a masters degree in writing—helpful for IEPs!—but most of my experience is simply from my own experience. I think we all have some hard-won wisdom and support to offer each other. Let me know your thoughts. I am in NW DC but open to meeting around the DMV.

[Anonymous]

Xminds has meet ups.

[Anonymous]

Look up Raising Orchids in DC... Jen Dreyer is amazing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks. For the PP who said Use Facebook... what specifically? The "moms groups" I've seen on there are not specific to this area and seem to focus mainly on ABA chatter.

Same, any good ones? Not to be snobby but to be snobby, are there any with educated parents? The ones I've tried have mostly parents who can barely write. There's also a lot of chatter about alternative therapies which I don't believe in at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m a mom of 3—one child with ASD and 2 medically complex kids—and I’ve been thinking of starting a peer-to-peer support group for moms of neurodivergent/disabled kids for lack of a good local resource for something like this. Do any DCUM parents have interest? I am thinking a monthly meet up over coffee or the like that might have corollary playground dates for the kids? I have a masters degree in writing—helpful for IEPs!—but most of my experience is simply from my own experience. I think we all have some hard-won wisdom and support to offer each other. Let me know your thoughts. I am in NW DC but open to meeting around the DMV.

We left the DMV area but will be back June and July. I would love to meet other parents and their ASD kids at a playground or somewhere. DS is 6s and has ASD and it would be great for him (and me!) to be able to socialize.

[Anonymous]

What area do you live in OP?

[Anonymous]

I'm a part of the Facebook group "Special Needs Moms of Montgomery County Maryland". It's a closed group, so you need to ask to participate. It's not just for moms (dads or other caregivers) of autistic kids, but they are in the group. There are about 600 members.

[Anonymous]

I am also a member of the Special Needs Moms of Maryland FB group. It is a helpful place.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the Facebook suggestion. There seems to be local SN groups everywhere. I think the best part of Facebook has been finding supportive parents in the same situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What area do you live in OP?

We are in Alexandria.

To the PP who suggested coffee or park play dates monthly, I would be SO in.