Resources
Browse our list of trusted organizations, books, podcasts, & free downloads for Moms parenting neurodivergent kids, and Moms living with chronic illness.
Organizations
-
Autism In Black
Raising a child with Autism can be difficult for anyone, however in the Black community there are additional challenges that may affect us. Although early intervention is key, African American children with autism are one to two years older than white children before they're even diagnosed. This web site will explore some of the reasons for this and also provide suggestions to correct these issues. We will include links to web sites, articles, and research regarding autism and the African American community.
-
Autism Hope Alliance
https://autismhopealliance.org/
Embodying hope for families facing the diagnosis of autism through education, financial support and volunteerism. Autism Hope Alliance is the first non-profit foundation for autism to emerge from the natural foods industry. They have a free virtual library full of lectures, interviews and educational events that have supported tens of thousands of families.
-
The Arc
The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes. Through the decades, The Arc has advocated for the passage of state and federal legislation on behalf of people with disabilities and established a broad network of state and local chapters that range from small voluntary groups to large, professional organizations.
-
Cerebral Palsy Guide
https://www.cerebralpalsyguide.com
Cerebral Palsy Guide is an organization dedicated to providing support for those affected by cerebral palsy, birth injuries, or other developmental disabilities. Their mission is to create an easy-to-use, informative website that provides solutions for families. “It is our hope that Cerebral Palsy Guide can help parents of children with cerebral palsy find peace, healing, and happiness.”
-
Documenting Hope
Documenting Hope is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization providing root cause healing solutions for children’s chronic health and developmental conditions. Documenting Hope provides resources and support for parents and practitioners who are ready to move beyond the conventional symptom-suppressive approach to disease management.
-
HollyRod Foundation
Founded in 1999 by actress, Holly Robinson Peete and husband, former NFL player, Rodney Peete, the HollyRod Foundation is a recognized California based 501c3. The HollyRod Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness and providing resources to families that have a loved one who has received an autism or Parkinson’s Disease diagnosis. We advocate for ethical treatment, inclusion and access to services and treatment of individuals living with autism or Parkinson’s Disease with the goal of empowering them to live their best lives.
-
PACER
When your parenting journey is different, connecting to organizations for support is imperative. PACER is a comprehensive “parent training and information center.” Based in Minneapolis, but serving the nation, PACER helps parents easily find resources to help “make decisions about education, vocational training, employment and other services for their children with disabilities.” Other programs include resources for grandparents, information about bullying and housing, as well as software and adaptive devices and training to help kids with disabilities better communicate.
-
Parents' Place of Maryland
Serving as Maryland’s Parent Training and Information Center and Family-to-Family Health Information Center, Parents’ Place supports thousands of Maryland families each year. Parents’ Place, staffed primarily by parents who have faced these challenges, believes that experienced parents are a key source of knowledge and support to help other families become effective voices for their own children.
-
Parent to Parent USA
Parent to Parent USA will support a network of viable, sustainable, fully-functioning and effective Parent to Parent programs in all 50 states through hands-on support, training and technical assistance, and high quality tools and resources. Our network’s parent leadership and engaged membership will serve as strong advocates, provide robust mentoring opportunities, and develop the working partnerships with funders, service providers, and others needed to sustain and grow the program nationwide.
-
R.I.S.E. Arts Center of Baltimore
https://www.riseartscenter.org
Provides multidisciplinary arts education to a diverse range of youth while placing a special focus on underserved communities and youth and young adults with autism and/or other intellectual disabilities in Baltimore City.
R.I.S.E. Arts Center of Baltimore aims to strengthen creative skillsets by utilizing art exhibitions, musical theater, art therapy, creative writing, and entrepreneurship education. Read more about their goals, leadership, and impact here. -
TACA (The Autism Community in Action)
https://tacanow.org/who-we-are/
Provides education, support and empowerment to families and individuals affected by autism to enrich their lives. They have an amazing and highly informative Facebook group where families can find additional support.
-
Penn-Mar Human Services
Penn-Mar supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in living courageous lives, whether that’s securing a job, being an active member of their community, building independence, or developing new relationships. We do this by supporting people on their own unique personal journeys. Penn-Mar provides an array of customizable services and supports to the Maryland and Pennsylvania regions. goes here
Books, Publications & Podcasts
-
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Workbook
https://www.mindfulnessprograms.com/mindfulness-audio-video-books/mindfulness-books/mbsr-workbook
This resource shares how mindfulness - “awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally” (as defined by Jon Kabat Zinn, founder of MBSR) can support living with chronic illness, anxiety and depression. Specific chapters which may be supportive for Moms living with chronic illness - Chapter 4, 5, and 7.
-
How to Live Well with Chronic Illness: The Journal for Moms
Living with a chronic illness or health challenge can make it difficult to plan what's going to happen tomorrow, let alone next year. Let go of that Mom-guilt, and all those “shoulds.” Embrace who you are, right now, just as you are. You are the Mom you were meant to be. The one your child is supposed to have, the mom they love. Don't wait for the "perfect" time to start, do it today! This journal is dated (without years,) so you can start any day & keep going for 5 years!
-
Parenting Special Needs Magazine
https://www.parentingspecialneeds.org/
Parenting Special Needs Magazine believes in the Power of Parenting: encouraging, informing, empowering, and inspiring you throughout your parenting journey.
We Understand Your journey is unique, no two children are the same, and no two families face the same challenges. We are here to help support and enlighten you with information you can understand.
That guidance comes from many sources, including trusted experts and professionals in many fields, as well as parents who share their practical tips, life lessons, challenges, and joys they have experienced along the way.
-
My Child Will Thrive Podcast
https://www.mychildwillthrive.com/
My Child Will Thrive was founded with the hope of saving parents from “shiny object syndrome” — chasing shiny new (sometimes unnecessary) therapies and treatments — and falling down the rabbit hole of research.
My Child Will Thrive is here to support parents who desperately want to recover their child from neurodevelopmental disorders — diagnosed or suspected — such as autism, sensory processing disorder, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), dyslexia, dyspraxia, learning disability, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), etc.
-
12 Tips to Take the Guilt Out of Parenting with Chronic Illness by Eileen Davidson
“But what happens when you are a parent and also dealing with a chronic illness? (Especially an illness like rheumatoid arthritis, whose hallmark symptoms of pain and fatigue don’t really pair well with raising a young energetic son all by myself.). After many tears, frustration, and trial and error, I’ve slowly gotten the hang of being a single mom with rheumatoid arthritis.” Tips include everything from staying organized, developing a routine, and pacing yourself, and not comparing yourself to other Moms.
-
ADDitude Magazine (parenting kids with ADHD)
Since 1998, tens of millions of readers have trusted ADDitude to deliver expert advice and caring support, making us the leading media network for parents and adults living with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADDitude is not only the world’s most trusted source of strategies and information about ADHD and related condition such as learning disabilities, anxiety, depression, and oppositional defiant disorder, we are also the voice and advocate of the ADHD community.
-
Autism Parenting Magazine
https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/
Autism Parenting Magazine is an award winning publication aimed at improving the quality of life for families effected by autism. We believe in the potential of every child with autism and the magazine has become an essential resource for parents around the world.
Established in 2012, our focus remains on objectively publishing autism-related topics, events, developments, treatments and news stories. We also cover a variety of inspiring real-life success stories to help parents make informed decisions and keep them updated on the latest therapeutic and treatment options.
-
Neurodiversity Podcast
https://neurodiversitypodcast.com
The world needs neurodiversity. The gifted brains, unusual talents, and fresh perspective of neurodivergent people drive innovation and change things for the better. The Neurodiversity Podcast introduces you to these brilliant, quirky, amazing people, and brings you thought-provoking conversations with leaders in psychology, education, and technology, as we work to broaden the definition of normal.
-
Exceptional Parent Magazine
An online multi-media company dedicated to be the ultimate resource for everything related to the special needs community. Providing practical advice, emotional support, current trending news and educational information to empower caregivers and families of children and adults with disabilities and special healthcare needs. As well as to the physicians, allied health care professionals, and educational professionals who are involved in their care and development.
eParent uses a multi-media approach to disseminate information and connect to a diverse and passionate special needs community of families, caregivers, professionals and organizations through.
When Motherhood Looks Different
Free Downloads
Caregiver Affirmations
As caregivers we often pour into everyone else first. These affirmations are your reminder to speak life, worthiness, and love over yourself daily. You matter, too, Mama!
Self-Compassion Meditation
We know it's tough when your experience of motherhood is so different - whether your child is dealing with health challenges and learning differences, or you are navigating your own chronic health concerns, not everyone understands.