What to Do When You Suspect Autism: A Mom’s Journey to Early Diagnosis and Advocacy with her Son

What happens when motherly intuition tells you something is going on with your child, but those around you say, "He's just a boy, give him time"?

On this episode, host Dr. Richelle Whittaker pulls from the archives, an interview she did with Toya, a school psychologist, speech assistant, and mom of five, for an open, honest conversation about raising a son with autism. Toya shares her journey with her son, Jackson, from a traumatic birth and early red flags to navigating a two-year path to a formal diagnosis.

Together, Dr. Shell and Toya explore the grief cycle of altered expectations, how to handle male ego and family denial, balancing the needs of neurodivergent and neurotypical siblings, and learning to give yourself grace as a mom. Whether you suspect developmental delays in your child or are actively raising a boy with special needs, this episode offers vital validation, advocacy tips, and actionable resources.

Key Takeaways & Highlights

• Trust Your Mother’s Intuition: Why you shouldn't let doctors, family members, or "wait and see" advice talk you out of seeking an evaluation if you see early red flags (such as hand-flapping, speech delays, or loss of eye contact).
• Navigating Denial in Relationships: How mothers and fathers often process developmental concerns differently, and how to keep moving forward with early intervention even when a partner is hesitant.
• The Extra Layer of Planning: The reality of managing sensory needs, finding inclusive summer camps, and creating accommodations for family outings.
• Supporting Siblings: How to talk to younger and middle siblings about autism without putting the pressure of being "little parents" on them.
• Fostering Independence with Dignity: Learning to pay attention to subtle cues as your child grows so they can build self-help skills on their own terms.
• 
  

Special Announcement: Raising Sons October Brunch!

Calling all boy moms! Mark your calendars for our annual Raising Sons Brunch this October! Join Dr. Richelle Whittaker and a community of incredible mothers for an inspiring afternoon filled with connection, practical parenting wisdom, and expert strategies to help you raise confident, emotionally healthy young men.

When: October 31 2026

Details & Tickets: Sign up here to receive all the details once their locked in!

Have Your Say for Season 5: What topics do you want us to cover next season? Click this link or text Season 5 to 1.833.638.5442 to share your suggestions!

Join the Raising Sons Newsletter: Click Here. Stay updated on upcoming events, resources, and community emails.

Need Parent Support? If you love your son but find yourself struggling to understand his behavior, you don't have to figure it out alone. Schedule a Parent Navigation Session: https://www.richellewhittaker.com/workwithme

Resources:

• Strong Men Start Here – Dr. Richelle’s book for moms raising sons
• New YouVersion Devotional

Connect with Dr. Richelle:

YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/@drrichellewhittaker

Instagram: @dr_richelle

LinkedIn: Dr. Richelle Whittaker

Website: www.richellewhittaker.com/podcast

Disclaimer: Dr. Richelle is a therapist, but she is not your therapist. All information provided is not to be taken as therapy.