Autism Diagnosis and the Pressure to Do Everything Right with Brittney Crabtree

Autism motherhood often begins with a moment that shatters the future you thought you were building. Sarah Kernion and Brittney Crabtree of Moms Talk Autism reflect on the early shock of diagnosis, the grief of watching expectations collapse, and the pressure many autism moms feel to sprint into every possible intervention.

This is Part 1 of 2 with Brittney sharing what it was like to hear the word “autism” nearly 18 years ago, how she immediately moved into research and action mode, and why she now realizes she needed more balance and grace during those early years. The conversation explores the emotional intensity of autism diagnosis, the pressure surrounding early intervention, and the evolving grief that can come as the developmental gap between autistic and neurotypical peers becomes more visible over time.

Sarah and Brittney also discuss what happens when autism parenting forces mothers to let go of rigid future planning and instead learn how to live more fully in the present. Through honest reflections on isolation, support systems, burnout, and acceptance, this episode captures the emotional complexity of rebuilding motherhood after diagnosis—one inchstone at a time.