Jillian Benfield: Working Through Grief After Diagnosis and Transforming as a Parent

Free Workshop

Increase Talking &
Decrease Tantrums

in Young Children with

Autism &/or Speech Delays

Whether you’re learning your child has Autism at age three, Down’s Syndrome in utero, or any other special needs diagnosis, this can be a scary time as a parent. Jillian Benfield is a mom of three including her middle son Anderson, who has Down’s Syndrome. Jillian shares about her journey to be a special needs mom and her new book, The Gift of the Unexpected.

Grief After Diagnosis

Jillian said upon finding out about her son’s diagnosis and her conversation with the doctor, she grieved like a death had taken place. Everything she had imagined for her child was suddenly out of reach. This is a common and normal response to a diagnosis that will change your family’s life. Jillian shares the importance of digging deep into the feelings of grief and allowing it to transform you in important ways that help you move forward.

Ableism

In her book and our discussion, Jillian refers to the definition of ableism from disability activist, Leah Smith; Ableism is a set of beliefs or practices that devalue and discriminate against people with physical, intellectual, or psychiatric disabilities and often rests on the assumption that disabled people need to be ‘fixed’. We discuss how ableism affects your journey and response as a parent and your child’s journey through life. Recognizing and working through your own ableism is the only solution.

The Gift of the Unexpected

In Jillian’s book, The Gift of the Unexpected: Discovering Who You Were Meant to Be When Life Goes Off Plan, she dives into the purposeful ways we can look at and use when unexpected things happen in our lives, including receiving a diagnosis of Down’s Syndrome or Autism. She embodies the importance of hope and support as well as many other feelings that come with life’s circumstances.

I found Jillian’s expression of feelings about these pivotal events and moments in our lives as special needs parents and families to be so spot on. This is an important read for anyone with a diagnosis. You can find out more about her and her book on her website and social media.

Jillian Benfield on the Turn Autism Around Podcast

Jillian Benfield is a former journalist and news anchor. She holds a broadcast journalism degree from the University of Georgia. As a freelance writer, her essays about living an unexpected life have appeared on sites such as TODAY, GoodMorning America, Yahoo! News, and ABC News. Jillian regularly advocates for the full inclusion of people with disabilities in her writings, in her community, and as a part of the National Down Syndrome Congress’s National Down Syndrome Advocacy Coalition. Jillian and her husband, Andy, and their three children make their home on Florida’s Space Coast. Learn more at jillianbenfield.com

You’ll Learn

Why am I experiencing grief after an autism or other special needs diagnosis?
How to cope with grief after diagnosis.
Am I ableist and is it contributing to my feelings about my special needs child?
The Gift of the Unexpected, a book by Down Syndrome Mom Jillian Benfield.
The importance of hope as a parent of a special needs child.
How to find balance and transformation during the difficult parts of special needs life.
How to become the parent you were meant to be.

Resources