Though we should celebrate moms every day of the year, Mother’s Day is a time to give one BIG thank you to all of the mothers, grandmothers, aunts and special women in our lives. This year, the holiday will mean even more to the countless children around the world who are relying on their moms to not only be parents, but also fill in as in-home teachers, therapists, coaches, camp counselors and so much more.

In this edition of E-Speaks you’ll hear from a few moms in our community who have been using the extra time at home to form even stronger bonds with their children as they prepare for brighter days ahead. Even though this Mother’s Day might feel a bit different than years past, we hope all of the moms out there enjoy their special day! Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at Autism Speaks.

Interested in making a gift on behalf of a special mom in your life this Mother's Day? Send an eCard to show her your support.

Making the best of the “new normal”

Lora Hinkel is a speech-language pathologist and teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing. She and her husband live in Columbia, Missouri, with their sons, Blake and Jackson. As a Mother’s Day gift to all of you caregivers out there, here are some strategies she has been using at home that have helped Blake adjust to their new normal.

A day in the life: A mom’s perspective on parenting during a pandemic

In this blog, you’ll get a sneak peek into the life of a mom of an autistic child, who is slowly but surely adjusting to life as we know it during the coronavirus pandemic. During these trying times, parents are adjusting on the fly and taking on more responsibilities than ever as stay-at-home orders remain in effect in most areas of the country, and this mom is no different.

Covid-19 updates and educational resources

Please be sure to regularly visit our COVID-19 resource page for additional information and content during these challenging times. Also, now through June 1, 2020, you can visit OCALI Autism Certification Center to get free access to the Foundation of Evidence-Based Strategies courses with over 30 hours of video-based content. Additional Resources from and various partners are available here to help you stay informed, connected, healthy and supported.