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Join UnPuzzled, An Autism Community - MAAC Center for Autism

A different type of Autism Community.

Join UnPuzzled

Mom…Dad…Sis… Auntie…Grandparent…

Autism Caregivers Need Care Too!

But when we talk about autism, we often neglect the caregivers.

Look, it’s hard. There are endless hoops to jump through, a parade of doctors and therapies and the parenting, every single day.

It never ends, and there’s often no relief.

Worse, the judgment is relentless. Everybody you know suddenly has an opinion on how you’re raising your child, and especially how you’re doing it wrong, and not trying hard enough.

And when your child is autistic, the proof of your apparent failures is right there, not caring what anyone has to say about anything. And you despair.

You and I both know caregiver fatigue is real.

So today, I want to invite you to an autism community that’s going to put you first.

An autism community where you can talk about what YOU need.

An autism community where you can tell your story, find support and find the kind of answers that come from asking hard questions.

Most of all, an autism community where you can get information on both traditional AND alternative treatments and therapies so that you can feel confident in your decisions as a parent and a caregiver.

Meet some of our Unpuzzled family.

The Wildmone Family

Know that as a parent, we will never ever feel like we’ve done everything for our kids. So just embrace it. You’re always going to feel like that, that there’s always just not enough, and just be okay with it. Be okay with the incompleteness. Be okay with the imperfection because that’s just a part of being a parent. Just every day, see it as a new day. What can I do today? How can I do something good for my kids? What can I do, even if it’s just for five minutes, what can I do to make myself smile today? Just focus on today. Focus on right now. Don’t focus so much on the future because that’s stressful because you can’t control the future.

The Griffith Family

They’re so different and we have this concept in our head of what normal is or what our child should be or what they should be doing, or how they should be, and they end up just like completely taking that and flip-flopping it all over, turning it upside down 360 and like, “No, this is what I am.”

The Belt Family

Is every day a good day? Hell, no. 95% of the time, it’s a shitty day. Parents need to know that. I think sometimes we think, oh, because we have these services and because we have therapy, everything’s going to be okay, and it’s not. Oh, my gosh … Taking Kendall to behavioral therapy Tuesday, she gets to her behavioral therapist and she’s a gem. I told Stephanie, I said, “She showed her entire ass all the way here. However, she got here and she behaved, even when it was a protocol she didn’t want to do. She ignores you. She sat in the corner and decided she was no longer going to engage with you, but she wasn’t kicking and screaming.”

The Cooper Family

“Your son is mentally retarded. It will take a lot of time, resources and money to take care of him. You are young and have your entire life ahead of you. I strongly suggest putting him in an institution where he can be well cared for. You have plenty of time to have another child if you want…”

Wait…what? I sat there for a minute while I repeated his words in my head.  Did he tell me to lock away my little boy? I fought the urge to cry. To throw things. To scream. I gathered up Quon, thank the pediatrician for his valuable opinion and went home.  It was there that I wept. 

That was almost 30 years ago. I’m so glad I didn’t listen to that advice.

What goes on in the UnPuzzled Community?

We’re going to be talking about how to make your life more manageable.

How to feel confident in your decisions, and how to find time for self-care.

How to make meals and baths and life easier to deal with, and how to navigate paperwork and therapists and endless things to do.

Most of all, we want to be a soft place to land on the hard days, because there aren’t a lot of places like that when you’re a caregiver.

It’s called UnPuzzled, because we’re not trying to make anyone fit in to our autism community.

What Will I Find in UnPuzzled?

  • Vulnerable conversations on topics that matter to you such as meltdowns, relationships with your partner and what happens when they turn 21. We even allow venting without accepting advice from others.
  • Sharing of personal stories, lessons learned and inspiration.
  • Mini-Courses that you can view while waiting in the therapist’s office or in the school pick-up lane such as Mindfulness, Learning Styles, Self Love and Crystal Grids. New ones are added all the time.
  • Exclusive virtual events that you can attend from the comfort of your home.
  • Discounts on holistic consultations for you and the entire family.
Join UnPuzzled

Our Instructors

Jennifer Young

Jennifer Young

Founder BEATSchool

A former HS teacher and GED instructor who’s currently building a nonprofit vocational school for adults. 
Faith Clarke

Faith Clarke

Founder Melody of Autism

Faith Clarke is a consultant, author, academic nerd, design thinker and new venture midwife. She helps passionate entrepreneurs with special needs kids birth businesses they love, that fit and finance their busy lives.
Jasmine Balom Murry

Jasmine Balom Murry

Founder I am HealingOne

Jasmine is an intuitive healer and spiritual coach. Her focus and passion is on helping you heal your life, through your relationships, starting with you.  
Dr. Tiffany McKinnon-Russell

Dr. Tiffany McKinnon-Russell

Founder Thoughts Of A Homeschool Mom

Dr. Tiffany McKinnon-Russell is a former member of Corporate America, turned homeschooling mom, author, and entrepreneur. Dr. Tiffany is passionate about empowering parents to teach, nurture, and support their children.
Jessica Brittani

Jessica Brittani

Founder Calm & Colorful

Jessica Brittani teaches children mindfulness and meditation techniques through coloring books, mindfulness mentoring and other mediums. She meets children at their level to teach them these valuable skills that teach them to handle their emotions better.
Contessa Louise Cooper

Contessa Louise Cooper

Founder UnPuzzled & MAACenter

Contessa has 30 years of autism experience as a mother, advocate and consultant. She is also a Priestess, spiritual advisor and healer. She is no fluff and will dive deep into your physical, mental, spiritual and sexual health to facilitate your wellness journey.

Who is UnPuzzled for?

Autism is the reason I’m an advocate and a caregiver. You may also be a caregiver but you call it by another diagnosis. In my eyes, we are all family if you have a child (relative) with any learning difficulties, physical disability, or emotional and behavioral difficulties. You are always welcomed in any community I create.

Join Us Today!

Come and join our family. This a community like no other.

Click the “Join UnPuzzled” button to start your free 7-day trial.

Join UnPuzzled
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