Being a caregiver or parent to a child, teen, or adult with autism is not easy. There are hard and difficult times, but Denise says the key to happiness starts with your own positivity. She has created a community around her by staying positive and trying her best to stay involved. It can be tempting to shut yourself in out of embarrassment or fear of what will happen. Denise reminds parents that sometimes things will happen and you will be embarrassed, it’s the people who stick with you through those who become your community and shoulder to lean on. Denise also encourages caregivers to take care of themselves and make time for themselves. It can be easy to let yourself go and put your child first 100% of the time, but you need to be healthy to give the best to your family.
Just like her TikTok Denise is a positive light with so much encouragement for other autism families. You can check her out on TikTok to hear more about her life with Vincent. I am also on TikTok so go find me and leave a like or a comment!
Denise D is from New Jersey and is a married mother of two. She is the caregiver to her adult son Vincent who is 23 years old. She was an early intervention/family support therapist for 13 years. She attended Montclair State University. Her background is in floor time. Her interests are fashion and beauty. She was honored by the Facebook community for uplifting mothers/caregivers of children with autism. She is a public speaker at events and schools. She recently found a positive community in Tiktok. She’s passionate about helping families believe in themselves, taking charge of their loved ones’ plans, setting goals and supporting one another to bring the community together.
You’ll Learn
Resources