Nurturing a Growth Mindset in Yourself as a Mom of an Autistic Child

Thriving Moms of Autistics

Hi Moms! As a mom of an autistic child, you play a crucial role in shaping your child's growth and development. Your own mindset, beliefs, and attitudes can have a profound impact on your child's perception of themselves and their abilities. Embracing a growth mindset for yourself can empower you to effectively support your child's journey and foster their own growth mindset.

In this episode, I explore the benefits and challenges of mindset as an autism mom and ways to grow your mindset.

Find the full transcript for this episode at www.thrivingmomsofautistics.com/55

Please share the podcast with other moms to help them grow in their autism journey. You can also do this by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. I appreciate you!

What is a Growth Mindset for Autism Moms

A growth mindset is the belief that your abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. It's about viewing challenges as opportunities for learning and growth rather than insurmountable obstacles. Individuals with a growth mindset are more likely to persevere in the face of setbacks, seek out new learning experiences, and view themselves as capable of achieving their goals.

There are two mindsets: fixed and growth. Where are you on the mindset continuum?

Individuals with a fixed mindset have a statis intelligence and believe they possess a set amount of skills. They avoid challenges and making mistakes. They believe that effort is not necessary, ignore feedback, and give up easily.

Those with a growth mindset view intelligence as changeable, and that they can develop skills with effort. They embrace challenges and view mistakes as a learning opportunity. They crave feedback and believe that effort leads to mastery of skills. They persist in the face of setbacks.

Why is a Growth Mindset Important for Moms of Autistic Children?

A growth mindset is particularly important for moms of autistic children because it allows you to approach parenting with a positive and empowering mindset. It enables you to:

· View your child's challenges as opportunities for growth and development.

· Focus on your child's effort and progress rather than solely on outcomes.

· Encourage your child to embrace challenges and persevere through setbacks.

· Model a growth mindset yourself, demonstrating the power of hard work and perseverance.

This is more challenging for moms of neurodivergent children
because their development is not the same. This is why flexibility is essential
for success. A growth mindset allows for such flexibility.

Also, when we focus on outcome, we do not meet our child where they are at. A pressured autistic child is a recipe for disaster. We know this all too well.

Noticing improvements and changes, no matter how small they are, is so encouraging for any human being.

Lastly, our children are little sponges. When we develop a growth mindset, which can be difficult given the challenges we are faced with but can be done, our children learn these attributes as well.

Autistics can have a growth mindset. We develop this mindset at our own rate in synch with our own developmental and learning style.

How Do Moms Develop a Growth Mindset in the Midst of Constant Challenges?

Here are some strategies to cultivate a growth mindset in yourself as a mom of an autistic child:

1. Challenge your own fixed mindset beliefs. Identify any limiting
beliefs you may hold about yourself or your child's abilities. Challenge these
beliefs by seeking out positive examples and evidence that contradict them.

2. Embrace new challenges and learning
opportunities. Step outside your comfort