Ep. 42 – I Left My Job to Care for My Autistic Child, And This is What I’ve Learned – Hayley Augusta

mother teaching autistic child feelings using happy and sad face pictures

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In 2020, the CDC reported that approximately 1 in 54 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). And the rates are rising higher each year.

As we close on Autism Awareness Month, a time dedicated to increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism, I spoke with Hayley Augusta, a mother of a son with autism and hyperlexia. 

Hayley talks about leaving her dream career and luxe lifestyle in Dubai to care for her son on the autism spectrum and what she wished parents of neurotypical children understood about this disorder. As she shares her experience navigating the autism diagnosis process, Haley also covers the best tools, services, and resources for moms of autistic children to consider.  If you’re a parent of a neurotypical child, have a child who is autistic, or are curious about a disorder that is becoming more prevalent each year, you need to hear this episode!

Connect with Hayley at:

Bio: Hayley Augusta is a suburban mom of two. One has autism, and the other is neurotypical. She had a 15+ year career in global media and worked with big clients like Facebook and Emirates Airlines. But when her son was diagnosed, she decided to quit her job to learn more about autism and help him with his special needs. It turns out not only did he have autism, he is gifted. That’s called twice-exceptional; 0.5% of kids fall into this category. So there is a lot of work to be done! She hosts the No Sex in the Suburbs podcast as a spoof on what happens after you marry your Big Love and live out your Sex in the City phase of life. It deals with mom identity and all the challenges that come with a husband, a mortgage, and a couple of kids.

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