I cried during this live chat with Victoria and Natalie…
“It can be quite a lonely journey...we thought, why not do a podcast, so that other people can be supported?”
–Natalie
What’s The REAL Life of An Autism Mum Like?
Listen in on a LIVE discussion with The Autism Mums.
Kate Lynch of Atypical Kids Mindful Parents:
Welcome everyone, and thank you for joining us. I’m here with Victoria and Natalie, the sisters behind The Autism Mums podcast.
Before we dive in, I’ll link their interview with me, so you can listen later:
Using Somatic Awareness to Support Your Neurodivergent Child with Kate Lynch
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed or uncertain on your parenting journey, this episode could really help you. Kate shares practical advice that could be easily implemented into your daily life.
Why Victoria & Natalie Started The Autism Mums
Victoria:
Both of our sons are autistic. We’ve gone through similar journeys, often at the same time, and it can be such a lonely experience trying to find your people — those who really understand.
As we connected with more parents, we realized how powerful those conversations were. We thought, why not create a podcast so that other parents can find support too?
Natalie:
Exactly. We had so much help from people who were just a few steps ahead of us. They’d say, “You should try this” or “Here’s what worked for us.” Then we found ourselves becoming that support for others. The podcast is a way to share what we’ve learned so parents can access that information anytime.
Kate:
I love that. I used to overhear little tips in waiting rooms at speech or OT sessions, or on playgrounds — those small exchanges that change everything. Having that knowledge accessible is such a gift, especially when you don’t even know what questions to ask yet.
The Power of Shared Stories
Kate:
How’s it been going?
Victoria:
It’s been going really well! We’ve had wonderful feedback, especially over the summer holidays. One mum told us our podcast helped her get through those weeks, which meant so much to us.
Kate:
That’s beautiful — those one-to-one moments really remind you that it’s all worth it.
Victoria:
Exactly. Those messages keep us going. Someone recently told us they related to a story I shared about my son’s love of angel cakesL these little individually wrapped sponge cakes we have here in the UK.
It turned out she had gone through the same thing with her daughter, right down to switching brands and losing that “safe food.” It’s funny but also so relatable.
Why Familiar Foods Feel Safe
Kate:
That’s so universal! It’s like Twinkies here: identical every time, reliable, safe. And that safety is what our kids need most.
Natalie:
My son doesn’t have a formal ARFID diagnosis, but food is definitely a struggle. There are certain textures and routines he relies on.
Kate:
I get that completely. My son used to rotate through “safe foods,” switching without warning. I’d stock up, and then one day he just wouldn’t eat them again.
Now, at 14, he’s actually interested in nutrition and even cooks his own meals. Seeing that growth has been amazing — it’s like watching safety evolve into independence.
Advocating for Change: SEND Rally
Kate:
You both recently went to a protest in London. Can you tell us about that?
Victoria:
Yes, it was the Fight for Ordinary SEND Rally. SEND stands for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
The government has been discussing abolishing EHCPs — Education, Health, and Care Plans — which are legal documents that outline what support a child needs at school. Without them, many kids wouldn’t get the help they need.
Natalie:
Exactly. The proposed changes would give more power to local councils, even though many are already overwhelmed and underfunded. We wanted to show up for the families who couldn’t — because many parents simply can’t leave their children, or can’t afford to travel.
Kate:
That’s such powerful advocacy. When you’re deep in survival mode, it’s hard to think systemically, so it’s wonderful that you’re lending your voices in that way.
Generational Healing and Burnout
Kate:
Let’s talk about something more personal. As parents, I’ve found that every time my son reaches a new age, memories from that same age come flooding back from my own childhood. Has that happened to you?
Natalie:
Yes, absolutely. I struggled at school — especially with change. New teachers, new classes, it was all too much. Seeing my son’s challenges now helps me understand my younger self better.
Victoria:
And as sisters, it’s healing too. Back then, we didn’t understand what was going on. I just thought she was being difficult about school. Now I see she was overwhelmed. Looking back, it makes so much sense.
Kate:
That’s such powerful reparenting work — being there for your kids in ways you needed someone to be there for you.
Natalie:
Exactly. And yes, burnout is real. We should probably do an episode about that soon!
For Parents Who Feel Alone
Victoria:
If I could say one thing to other parents, it’s that you’re not alone. It can feel isolating, but your people are out there. Once you start finding them, community grows naturally.
Kate:
That’s so true. I remember being told, “Seek out the other parents.” It really changes everything.
Natalie:
Yes, and that’s what we hope to create with The Autism Mums — a sense of belonging and shared experience.
Timestamps:
00:00 Accessing Helpful Tips Easily
04:03 Most Angel Cakes Bought
07:54 Eating Habits Transformation
12:27 Unclear Support for Complex Needs
15:15 Challenges for Neurodivergent Parents
18:42 Choosing School or Homeschool Conflict
21:37 Staying with Inclusive School
23:15 Reflecting on Misunderstood Panic Attacks
26:34 Preschool Meltdown Comparison
Connect with The Autism Mums
If you’re a parent or carer of an autistic child, you can find The Autism Mums on all major podcast platforms or theautismmums.com (that’s M-U-M-S, UK style!)
Follow them for practical advice, heartfelt stories, and community… because none of us should have to do this alone.
Got a question, topic request, or story to share? Leave a comment—we love hearing from listeners and your voice helps shape future episodes.
A kinder future for our kids begins with kindness toward ourselves.
