04/02/2026
April is Autism Awareness Month.
This feels really vulnerable, but here goes:
As a late-diagnosed autistic, for a long time, I didn’t have the language for my experiences. I just moved through the world knowing certain things felt harder than they seemed to for others.
Reflecting back on my early parenting experience brought a lot of "aha" moments.
Sudden noise could feel jarring in my body. The constant sensory input of touch, sound, movement etc added up quickly. And I was often overwhelmed in group social settings, even ones that were meant to feel supportive. Trying to mask all of this made things even more exhausting.
And when I didn’t have clear, direct information, it made everything feel even more destabilizing. (I experienced this yesterday when I went for surgery and was led into a room but not told what to do after I had changed 🙈 hint: get in bed 🤣, and again when it was cancelled and I was told I could leave...I didn't know where to go!)
At the time in those early days, I didn’t understand why. I just thought I needed to handle things better. Now I understand those experiences differently.
Understanding my neurodivergence has shifted how I see myself...and how I support others.
It’s made me more intentional in my work as an IBCLC:
More clear.
More calm.
More attuned to how overwhelming this season can be, especially when your nervous system is already working hard.
Feeding challenges happen in real bodies, with real thresholds, real limits, and real needs.
If you are neurodivergent and navigating early parenting, you’re not doing it wrong. You may just need support that actually fits you.
I want to know you and your needs.
There is space and non-judgmental understanding for you here. 💜