In this heartfelt episode of Autism for Badass Moms, Rashidah sits down with Chanel, a 36-year-old mom from New York, who shares her powerful journey of becoming a voice for her son while still finding her own.
Chanel is a mother of two—her 15-year-old daughter and her 5-year-old son, Curtis, who was diagnosed with autism at 2.5 years old. Curtis is non-speaking and communicates using an AAC device. From early on, Chanel knew something was different—but like so many moms, she was told to wait. And that waiting turned into fighting—fighting to be heard, to be taken seriously, and to get her son the diagnosis and support he needed.
Once the diagnosis came, everything changed. Chanel found herself thrown into a world of therapies, services, and systems that required her to step up in ways she never expected. Advocacy didn’t come naturally at first—but this journey doesn’t give you the option to stay quiet.
Chanel’s story is a reminder that you don’t have to have it all figured out to show up for your child.
Sometimes, becoming their voice… is how you finally find your own.
In this episode, we discuss:
00:00 Badass Moms Welcome
00:47 Finding Your Voice
02:00 Meet Chanel and Curtis
03:05 Purple Vibes and Buffalo
03:54 Curtis Birth Story
06:31 Early Signs and Google
08:21 Pushing for Diagnosis
10:29 Diagnosis and Numbness
11:54 Anxiety and Support Gaps
14:29 Building Community
19:07 Curtis Progress Updates
19:54 Balancing Work and Autism
20:17 Managing Anxiety Together
20:52 Self Care Without Guilt
22:08 Grief Comes in Waves
23:01 Letting Go of Norms
27:44 Advocating at School
29:22 Hearing Mom in New Ways
32:27 Finding Your Voice
34:40 Advice for New Moms
37:09 Stay Fierce Closing
40:36 Guest Call to Action
Connect with Chanel
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/evolutionofaautismmom
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