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Meet Jessica, the Autistic Mom
Episode 180 • 17th March 2025 • Slow Living • Stephanie O'Dea
00:00:00 00:45:02

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Have you ever felt like everyone else got a handbook for life—except you? That’s exactly how Jessica Whalley felt growing up, long before she was diagnosed with autism and ADHD. In this heartfelt episode, Jessica opens up about her journey to self-discovery and what led her to write The Autistic Mom, a memoir that’s as fluid and engaging as a novel but deeply personal and real.

We talk about the challenges of navigating the world as a neurodivergent woman and why she isn’t searching for a “cure”—just the right resources to make life a little easier.

Jessica also shares her experiences as a mother to Jude, her nonverbal son, and how she’s learned to advocate not only for herself but for him as well.

From the power of therapy to the importance of community, this conversation is an honest, eye-opening look at what it means to embrace neurodiversity at any age. If you’ve ever struggled to fit into a world that doesn’t always make room for differences, this episode will remind you that you’re not alone.

Join us for this inspiring and down-to-earth conversation—you won’t want to miss it!

Connect with Jessica Whaley:

Instagram: _theaalife_

Website: https://www.theautisticmom.net/

Book: The Autistic Mom: A guide, advise, and memoir of adult diagnosis and/or raising a neurodivergent child

Want to know more about living a slowed down life?!

Simple Shortcuts to Peace Course - https://stephanieodea.com/peace

New Year, New You Mini Challenge - https://stephanieodea.com/newyou

Join me for my LIVE Masterclass - https://stephanieodea.com/masterclass/

Website - https://stephanieodea.com

Blog - https://stephanieodea.com/blog/

Slow Living Podcast - https://stephanieodea.com/podcast

Speaking Opportunities - https://stephanieodea.com/speaking/

Coaching Opportunities - https://stephanieodea.com/coaching/

Courses - https://stephanieodea.com/courses/

Contact - stephanieodea.com/contact/

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