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About
Rashidah Cartwright
Founder of Autism for Badass Moms.
Hello, I'm Rashidah Cartwright, born and raised in New Jersey, a proud mother of four beautiful children, two of whom are living with autism. I'm a passionate professional who has served in the mental health and substance use field for 18 years. As a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor and a Certified Clinical Supervisor in NJ, I bring a unique perspective to the challenges and triumphs of raising a child with autism.
Walking the Autism Path
Being a mother to children with autism, especially when one also has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a complex journey filled with mixed emotions. I have wrestled with guilt, sadness, frustration, anger, and anxiety. The constant struggle for appropriate services in IEP meetings, dealing with medical providers, and navigating specialists has often led to anger and frustration.
Fears and Emotions
Like many autism moms, I've grappled with the fear of the unknown, the fear of failure, judgment, and an uncertain future. Guilt often consumed me as I balanced multiple roles - being a mom, a wife, and working three jobs to provide for my family.
The profound sadness at not always understanding my child's needs due to their limited verbal communication was sometimes overwhelming.
Living with Loneliness
The daily challenges led to loneliness as friends struggled to comprehend my life's intricacies. It often felt like being in survival mode, waiting for the next shoe to drop, managing new behaviors, and grappling with aggression. The concept of "me time" was alien to me for the longest time, believing that self-care was selfish.
Triumph over Trials
But today, I am stronger and more empowered. While these emotions still bubble up occasionally, they no longer paralyze me. I learned to take control of my life and my emotions, metaphorically pressing "ctrl," "alt," and "del" on my emotional keyboard. My mantras are focusing on the present moment, realigning my perspective to positivity, and discarding negative thoughts.
Uniting with Hope
I found support in a sisterhood of other amazing mothers with similar experiences. These mothers gave me hope, an incredibly powerful tool that allowed me to persevere through life's challenges.
I've learned to discard the idea of perfection and embraced being a "good enough mom."
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Rediscovering Strength and Self
Through this journey, I have come to appreciate my strength. I haven't merely survived; I've managed to keep my identity intact. I'm still Rashidah - the silly, quirky, untamed individual with a zest for life. I've learned to trust in my abilities and to believe in myself.
Passion and Perseverance
I serve as a clinician and supervisor at a non-profit agency while working in a Psychiatric Emergency Room. Despite the hurdles, I continue to pursue my passions with undiminished fervor. This journey has made me recognize my resilience and resolve to keep going.
Welcome to my world. It's a world filled with challenges but also immense joy, growth, and triumph. I look forward to sharing it with you.
Join me every week on the Autism for Badass Moms podcast, a space where you're not just a mom, but a person with needs, dreams, and desires.
This a space where your voice is heard, your struggles validated, and your needs are prioritized.
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