Autism for Badass Moms

In this episode of Autism for Badass Moms, host Rashidah sits down with Lekana Williams, a wife and mother of two sons, ages 26 and 14. Her eldest son received his autism diagnosis at 23, while her youngest was diagnosed at 11.Lekana opens up about raising two sons with very different autism journeys and the unique challenges of navigating diagnosis, motherhood, and acceptance through the lens of her African American community.Together, Rashidah and Lekana discuss the silence and stigma that can exist around autism in Black families, the expectations parents may have for their children before diagnosis, and the importance of creating space for honest conversations across generations.Lekana also shares how she learned to embrace her sons’ individuality, find gratitude in their journey, and encourage them to be proud of exactly who they are.In this episode, we discuss:0:00 — Meet Lekana1:00 — Oldest son and early signs5:11 — Processing guilt and grief10:26 — Meltdowns, work struggles, and getting an adult evaluation14:12 — Community denial and fear of stigma17:37 — Youngest son's ADHD and Autism diagnosis story20:02 — Incident at school26:42 — School supports, IEPs, and bullying30:11 — Connecting with each son emotionally34:09 — African American community and mental health43:26 — Relief through son's therapy sessions45:17 — Career as a hairstylist and model49:39 — Advice for moms afraid of stigma54:33 — What makes Lekana badassConnect with Lekana:Instagram: Instagram.com/LekanaWillModeling inquiries: [email protected] this episode resonated with you:-Follow the Autism for Badass Moms Podcast-Leave a review to help other autism moms find this community-Share this episode with a parent who may feel unseen or misunderstoodFollow Us:Instagram: www.instagram.com/theabmpodcastFacebook: www.facebook .com/theabmpodcast

This week on Autism for Badass Moms, Rashidah sitsdown with Erin S. L. Jackson for a powerful conversation about autism motherhood, domestic violence, survival, education, and what it takes to rebuild your life when walking away feels impossible.Erin opens up about something many women experience but may be afraid to say out loud: sometimes leaving an abusive relationship is not as simple as walking out the door.Financial dependence, childcare challenges, missed work,isolation, fear, and the responsibility of raising a child with additional needs can make leaving feel impossible.Erin shares how public assistance programs helped providesome of the financial security she needed to begin separating herself from her abuser — and how higher education eventually became another part of her pathtoward freedom. In this episode, we discuss: 0:00 – Meet Erin0:54 – Pregnant during COVID2:53 – Her son's RSV hospitalization 4:26 – Developmental regression6:22 – Getting the autism diagnosis8:12 – How the diagnosis shifted the relationship12:06 – Using ChatGPT to cope 12:57 – Building the escape plan23:51 – The car accident that changed everything25:21 – Police escort 26:32 – Co-parenting and contact today32:37 – Mental health and suicidal thoughts33:32 – Finishing her master's in social work34:29 – The Title IV fellowship42:44 – Where to find Erin 43:54 – Advice for moms still stuck 46:22 – What makes Erin badass Connect with Erin:Facebook: Erin JacksonInstagram: Instagram.com/ hopez__Dreams If this episode resonated with you: -Follow the Autism for Badass Moms Podcast-Leave a review to help other autism moms find thiscommunity-Share this episode with a parent who may feel unseen ormisunderstood Follow Us:Instagram: www.instagram.com/theabmpodcastFacebook: www.facebook.com/theabmpodcast A Note to Our ListenersThis episode contains conversations about domesticviolence, intimate partner violence, emotional abuse, financial abuse, and trauma. Please listen with care.Abuse does not always look like physical violence.It can include controlling money, interfering withemployment, isolating someone from family and friends, intimidation, manipulation, threats, emotional abuse, coercive control, and other behaviors designed to maintain power over another person.If something discussed in this episode feels familiar,please know that help and confidential support are available.You do not have to navigate abuse alone. If you or someone you know is experiencing domesticviolence, please reach out to a trusted person or a domestic violence organization. You can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE, 1-800-799-7233, or text START to 88788. If you are in immediate danger, call 911 or your local emergency services. 

Host Rashidah sits down with Prue for a candid conversationabout raising her son Jock, who has both autism and ADHD, from the early signs and long diagnostic wait times to daily life on a remote Australian cattle ranch. Prue opens up about grief, anxiety, celebrating small wins, and the community that has rallied around her family, offering heartfelt, hard-wonwisdom for any parent navigating a new neurodivergent diagnosis.In this episode, we discuss:0:00 – Meet Prue1:38 – Early signs before diagnosis2:03 – Long wait for a diagnosis 3:55 – Behaviors that led to seeking an assessment5:46 – Autism and ADHD10:33 – Processing grief and shifting expectations12:00 – Managing anxiety and hypervigilance 15:53 – Life on the cattle ranch 17:09 – Being open about the diagnosis 22:25 – Feeding issues and celebrating small wins25:52 – Balancing attention between siblings 29:02 – Helping sibling understand neurodivergence30:05 – Mom guilt, masking feelings, and self-compassion34:21 – Making time for self-care36:12 – Why Prue decided to share her story39:10 – Finding community with other special-needs parents42:20 – Jock's therapy team45:55 – Advice for a mom newly navigating diagnosis47:55 – What makes Prue "badass"49:27 – Get in contact with Prue Connect with Prue McCormack Facebook: Prue McCormackInstagram: www.instagram.com/prue.mccormack If this episode resonated with you:-Follow the Autism for Badass Moms Podcast-Leave a review to help other autism moms find thiscommunity-Share this episode with a parent who may feel unseen ormisunderstood Follow Us: Instagram: www.instagram.com/theabmpodcastFacebook: www.facebook.com/theabmpodcast   

On this episode of Autism for Badass Moms, host Rashidahsits down with Lexus Sheffield, a 29-year-old mother of four from Texas.Lexus is the mother of 4-year-old twins, Journie andJamarion, Jr., who were both diagnosed with autism in May 2025. As she navigated developmental concerns, services, and learning how to advocate for both of her children, Lexus was also facing a life-changing diagnosis of her own.In 2024, Lexus was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.In this candid conversation, Lexus opens up about what itwas like learning that both of her twins were autistic, recognizing their early developmental differences, navigating Early Childhood Intervention, and confronting her own declining health while continuing to care for her family.She also shares how her experience with MS has changed theway she views strength, motherhood, and self-care.  In this episode, we discuss: 0:00 – Meet Lexus1:00 – Twins' NICU journey and early signs of autism5:26 – Fight to get both twins properly evaluated9:30 – Health crisis dismissed by doctors13:30 – Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis18:00 – Burnout 22:15 – Therapy, Part-time work, and starting CrossFit24:53 – How the twins are thriving now31:41 – Reach out to Lexus33:20 – Advice for overwhelmed moms  Connect with Lexus Facebook: Lexus LynetteInstagram: www.instagram.com/lexuslynette If this episode resonated with you:-Follow the Autism for Badass Moms Podcast-Leave a review to help other autism moms find thiscommunity-Share this episode with a parent who may feel unseen ormisunderstood Follow Us: Instagram: www.instagram.com/theabmpodcastFacebook: www.facebook.com/theabmpodcast 

Rashidah sits down with Ashley — model, brand ambassador,life coach, rideshare entrepreneur, soon-to-be nursing school grad, and mom of two (with baby #3 on the way!) for a raw, honest conversation about motherhood, autism, healing, and showing up unapologetically. In this episode, we discuss:0:00 — Meet Ashley1:11  — Raising two kids with differing needs2:49 — Amir's autism diagnosis 5:14  — Generational silence 9:15  — Learning to pinpoint 12:11 — Navigating daughter's mental health alongside Amir's autism17:12  — Giving each child a different version of herself25:38 — Self-love journey and healing her own childhood26:20 — The power of one true friendship 32:01  — Co-parenting with intention36:27 — Self-care amid it all39:53 — Nursing school, career hustle, and knowing her worth45:48 — Modeling career51:10 — Her advice to moms 55:23 — What makes Ashley badass58:08 — Closing thoughts  Connect with Ashley:Facebook: Love LadyashInstagram: Instagram.com/RespectTheLadyEmail: [email protected] If this episode resonated with you: -Follow the Autism for Badass Moms Podcast-Leave a review to help other autism moms find thiscommunity-Share this episode with a parent who may feel unseen ormisunderstood Follow Us:Instagram: www.instagram.com/theabmpodcastFacebook: www.facebook.com/theabmpodcast