Cold Hard Truths: Acceptance
Hosts Julianna Scott and Kelley Jensen explore the concept of "speed to acceptance" when parenting autistic children. Drawing from the five stages of grief, they discuss how quickly moving through denial, anger, bargaining, and depression to reach acceptance can free parents emotionally and help them recognize their child's progress realistically. The hosts share personal stories, including Julianna's pink room painting project, and critique the well-meaning but often unhelpful "Welcome to Holland" poem. They emphasize that acceptance isn't a one-time destination but an ongoing journey requiring boundaries, self-care, community support, and realistic expectations.
Key Takeaways
- Speed through the five stages of grief to reach acceptance faster
- Acceptance isn't permanent—you'll cycle back through stages
- Stuck in denial or anger? You can't make good decisions
- Set boundaries: ignore miracle cures and judgmental people
- Self-care must include therapy, respite, and personal time
- Find parents you genuinely like, not just autism parents
- "Welcome to Holland" creates false equivalencies about parenting
- Professionals: skip the platitudes, validate grief instead
- Grieve expectations, ask questions, make flexible plans
- Acceptance lets you see progress realistically
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