When my daughter received a diagnosis of PDD/NOS in the early 2000’s I was devastated. What would her future look like? Would she live a “normal'' life? F#%K! What do I do now? Who could I lean on as I walked through this? Friends and family were sympathetic but they couldn’t really relate to what I was experiencing. Some friends actually stopped calling. I was told “She’ll be fine” “ You're lucky, it could be worse.” which minimized and denied my pain. I felt alone and isolated. I had huge emotions of grief, anxiety, and anger that I kept bottled up. When I was vulnerable with others I received unsolicited advice that was not helpful or advice that was based only on the blanket diagnosis of “Autism” and not on what she was capable of achieving. When she entered Kindergarten, at a school for children with special needs, I was able to join their parent support group. Together we were vulnerable instead of stoic. We were sad, angry, and spoke of our worries instead of putting on our “happy face”. It didn't make my daughter's diagnosis magically go away but it provided a safe place to vent, gather strength, be accountable, strategize and cry. That group ended with the school year and although I had my individual therapist I missed being a part of a group that knew exactly what I was going through. I felt alone again. I missed that connection. Since that time I have participated in other support groups which have reinforced my appreciation for being able to lean on others who are travelling the same path as I am. The ability to walk into a room where you don’t have to explain yourself because everyone “gets it” is invaluable. I started  Support Village because having a child with Autism has many challenges and I wanted to create a place where parents can come to be heard, seen, and understood. 

See below to get started. You can also contact me at Jessica.feldman123@gmail.com or text me at 917-701-0685