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Navigating motherhood can feel like a whirlwind, but when you’re an ADHD mom of a child with autism, the challenges can multiply. Achieving a balanced household is about finding ways to work with your unique brain while supporting your child through their specific needs. Together, we’ll explore practical strategies that will help you succeed as an ADHD mom of a child with autism.
Take Care of You, Too
It might feel selfish at first, but you still need care as an individual to be there for your child. When I consistently manage my ADHD, I show up as a more patient and present mom. This doesn’t mean trying to rewire your brain to suddenly become a super version of yourself (I’ve tried, and it’s burnout waiting to happen). Instead, invest a portion of each day to taking care of the things that help you function. For example, keeping visuals and checklists around the house keeps me from forgetting daily tasks. When my brain is calmer, it has more bandwidth to support my child, and I think you’ll find the same is true for you.

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Simplify Your Daily Routines
Our kids thrive on predictability, but routines can be tough for us ADHD moms. What helped me was simplifying tasks into bite-sized chunks. Look for ways to stop overcomplicating tasks that seem unapproachable, like dinner. Instead of feeling guilty for not whipping up gourmet meals every night, I lean on strategies like meal prepping or rotating through three simple, kid-approved meals. You don’t need to be perfect—just consistent enough to set the foundation for your child’s comfort.
Build a Support Network
Raising a child with autism can be isolating, but it doesn’t have to be. I’ve found that having a circle of understanding friends, therapists, or even online communities makes a huge mental difference. Sometimes, just having someone listen to me vent or reassure me that I’m doing my best helps me reset. You aren’t in this alone—even virtual connections can remind you of that.
Hone Your Emotional Regulation Skills
Parenting any child comes with its emotional challenges, and that’s still true when it comes to raising children with autism. For example, supporting your child through puberty can be a serious test of emotional strength and patience for moms with ADHD. Emotional dysregulation is something a lot of us continue to work on, and your child will also be going through their own battle to understand others and discover which emotions belong where. What helps me is modeling deep breathing or taking “mom time-outs” when things feel overwhelming. The ways you manage your feelings will model emotional regulation for your child, and fortunately, ADHD moms have a lifetime of skills that will benefit kids with autism.
Celebrate Small Wins
It sometimes feels like society only applauds big, flashy accomplishments, but we know better. On tough days, I remind myself that every small victory counts. Maybe your child tried a new food with your help, or maybe you finished a daunting task that now helps your family keep going. Celebrate them—each win builds momentum. When we focus on progress instead of perfection, we let progress actually happen.
The truth is, things won’t always be easy, but you can succeed as an ADHD mom of a child with autism. Let’s remember that every challenging moment is an opportunity to learn and grow. We have strengths not everyone gets to experience, and so do our kids. Together, we’re unstoppable.