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

[Anonymous]

You need to use Facebook. Most SN parents are very stressed. Pretty much all my SN mom friends are from Facebook

[Anonymous]

I actually don't find Facebook to be useful at all. It's not like really connecting with people IRL, and most of the groups are like DCUM - lots of complaints and some help, but not a lot of in-depth relationships. I don't think it will really help with loneliness.

What does help for me is connecting with other parents IRL. Is your kid in some therapies or programs with other SN kids? If so, try to talk with other parents before/after/during, and maybe invite someone for coffee or suggest a meet-up or email group with people who you have a direct connection with there. I'm not saying it's easy or natural, but I think it has the best chance of really helping.

Even connecting with other parents of NT kids in real life has helped me. We don't talk about our kids that much, but just spending time thinking about other things can be nice with them. You have to choose wisely there because there are some parents of NT kids who make me feel more stressed and upset, but many do not.

[Anonymous]

I would love to meet other moms/parents of HFA kids.

[Anonymous]

Hi OP-

Someone also mentioned this but partnership for extraordinary minds in Moco (which serves families of autistic kids) has been hosting monthly play dates at a local playground for kids with ASD (and their families) in prek through elementary I believe. Also they host occasional zoom parent discussion groups.

I am in a similar position and I can relate how lonely it can get! I hope you can find some support. I have also heard good things too about Dan Shapiro’s free weekly support group.

[Anonymous]

Can you reach out to the other moms in your child's class? Our kids spend years together in the same school system. May as well get to know the other parents.