Autism for Badass Moms

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Gerri Tennyson—autism advocate, author, interior designer, and domestic abuse survivor—for a raw and deeply personal conversation about survival, motherhood, and reclaiming her life. As a mother of fraternal twins, including her son Dwight, who was diagnosed with autism at age three, Gerri spent 17 years navigating an abusive marriage while advocating for her son's educational needs. In this episode, Gerri opens up about the realities of domestic abuse that people often don't see, the challenges of raising children in an unhealthy environment, and the courage it took to leave and rebuild her life. She also reflects on the financial hardships she faced as a single mother, the impact of domestic violence on her children, and the lessons she learned about independence, self-worth, and finding her voice again. In this episode, we discuss: 0:00 - Meet Gerri 0:51 - Dwight’s Autism Diagnosis 5:52 - Regression in Language Development 7:15 - Sibling Bond 9:17 - Enduring Abuse in Her Marriage 12:16 - Living Through a “House of Horrors” 13:54 - Filing for divorce in 2010 14:28 - Withholding Support for the Children 15:04 - The Escape Plan 16:44 - Creating a Strong Support Network 22:54 - Father Stops Showing Up 23:23 - Dwight’s Improvement after Parent Separation 24:54 - Fighting the School System 26:15 - Letter to First Lady Laura Bush 28:28 - Life Rebuilt 33:24 - Dwight Today 37:34 - No Shame, Ask for Help 42:47 - The Reason I Breathe 42:59 - Building Her Business 52:06 - Advice for Autism Moms ABOUT OUR GUEST Gerri Tennyson is a mother of fraternal twins, Dwight and Taylor (now 28). She is the owner of Diamond in the Rough Designs (an interior decorating and staging business), and the author of the memoir; The Reason I Breathe; (published August 2024). She is also working on her second book. Gerri has been a fierce autism advocate for over two decades, helping counsel families navigate resources, and she shares her story to give hope to others. CONNECT WITH GERRI Gerri Tennyson, The Reason I Breathe: My Journey with Autism Against All Odds Purchase on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0blrrp7l Purchase on Barnes Noble: The Reason I Breathe | Barnes & Noble® Interior Design Business: Diamond in the Rough Designs Instagram: www.instagram.com/DITR_Design TikTok: Autism Big Mama Gerri’s Message to Autism Moms 1. Reach out to someone you trust — your church, a neighbor, a friend. Your support system doesn’t have to be blood related. 2. Make a plan — it doesn’t have to happen overnight. Take the time to prepare but always prioritize your safety. 3. “Squirrel” away resources — set aside small amounts of money wherever you can. 4. Know that staying for the kids isn’t protecting them — children see, hear, and feel what’s happening, even when you think they don’t. 5. Believe in yourself — the life on the other side of leaving is so much better, even when the lean years are hard. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available: National Domestic Violence Hotline: -For free, confidential support 24/7, call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), text “START” to 88788, or visit thehotline.org. -Begin building a support network by contacting a local church, community organization, or trusted neighbor. -If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If this episode resonated with you: -Follow the Autism for Badass Moms Podcast -Leave a review to help other autism moms find this community -Share this episode with someone you know would benefit from this episode Website: www.autismforbadassmoms.com Follow Us: Instagram: www.instagram.com/theabmpodcast Facebook: www.facebook.com/theabmpodcast

In this episode of Autism for Badass Moms, Rashidah sits down with Maria DeVoe, a Baltimore native now living in Atlanta and mom to two teenagers on the autism spectrum—Princess Brianna, who is turning 17, and Robert Jr., 14. Maria opens up about a journey that began nearly two decades ago, when autism awareness, resources, and conversations looked very different than they do today. Maria speaks candidly about the parts of autism motherhood people often don't see—the sleepless nights, meltdowns, isolation, constant worry, hypervigilance, changing medical providers when something doesn’t feel right, and the reality that even something as simple as taking a shower or finding someone you trust to watch your child can become complicated. She also talks about balancing motherhood with work and entrepreneurship, finding small ways to decompress, building CMD Marketing Enterprises/CMD Design Lab, and working to reboot her son’s show. Through it all, Maria reminds autism moms that strength does not mean pretending everything is easy. In this episode, we discuss: 00:00 – Meet Maria 00:16 – Princess Early Signs 01:46 – Diagnosis During Pregnancy 02:28 – Finding Services 05:05 – School Struggles Begin 08:05 – Advocacy with Receipts 11:00 – Two Kids Two Profiles 12:46 – RJ Diagnosis and Supports 17:37 – What People Don’t See 22:16 – Finding Joy and Self Care 24:12 – Building Her Business 27:10 – Advice for Autism Moms ABOUT OUR GUEST Maria DeVoe is a mother, entrepreneur, and autism advocate originally from Baltimore and now based in Atlanta. She is raising two teenagers on the autism spectrum, Princess Brianna and Robert Jr., and has spent years navigating therapies, school systems, medical care, and the everyday realities of autism motherhood. Her experiences have strengthened her commitment to advocacy, documentation, and ensuring her children receive the support they need to thrive. Outside of motherhood, Maria is also the founder of CMD Marketing Enterprises/CMD Design Lab, where she channels her creativity and entrepreneurial spirit into her work. CONNECT WITH MARIA Website: www.cmddesignlab.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/mariadevoe_ Maria’s Message to Autism Moms You don't have to pretend you have everything together. You can be tired. You can be frustrated. You can be scared. You can need help. It is okay to not be okay. Seek support. Ask for grace. Protect your peace. Trust yourself enough to speak up when something doesn't feel right—and keep showing up for your children without forgetting that you matter, too. Because sometimes the moms who make it look easy are carrying more than anyone realizes. Autism for Badass Moms celebrates the fierce, determined, and courageous mothers raising children on the autism spectrum while creating space for the conversations about autism motherhood that are too often left unsaid. If this episode resonated with you: -Follow the Autism for Badass Moms Podcast -Leave a review to help other autism moms find this community -Share this episode with a parent who may feel unseen or misunderstood Website: www.autismforbadassmoms.com Follow Us: Instagram: www.instagram.com/theabmpodcast Facebook: www.facebook.com/theabmpodcast

In this episode of Autism for Badass Moms, host Rashidah sits down with Andrea Jordan, a Chicago-area mom of three whose 8-year-old daughter, Zuri, was diagnosed with Level 3 autism shortly before turning three. Andrea opens up about receiving Zuri’s diagnosis during an already difficult chapter in her marriage, the loneliness she experienced, and what life has looked like since her divorce. She shares the realities of parallel parenting, advocating for services when both parents are not always on the same page, and carrying the weight of appointments, school needs, insurance battles, and major decisions. She also shares one of her greatest sources of comfort: knowing that Zuri has two older brothers who love her fiercely and can help advocate for her when she cannot advocate for herself. Two years after her divorce, Andrea is still rebuilding—balancing motherhood, a 13-year career with the VA, family, friendships, fitness, healing, and the dreams she still wants to pursue. In this episode, we discuss: 1.0 – Meet Andrea 1:04 – Early Signs of Autism 2:04 – Autism Research 2:29 – Early Intervention 3:10 – Denial 3:49 – Emotional Impact 4:38 – He Wants a Divorce 5:41 – Beginning Therapy 9:56 – The Turning Point 10:14 – Marriage Retreat & Final Realization 10:44 – Filing for Divorce 11:25 – Parallel Parenting 11:46 – 50/50 Custody 15:27 – Attempts at Co-Parenting 17:44 – Involving Children in Conflict 21:15 – Back to Court 29:31 – Gym as a Mental Escape 35:45 – Advice for Moms ABOUT OUR GUEST Andrea Jordan is a poet. She is currently working on a book that incorporates her poetry that was written during her marriage and divorce. Andrea is passionate about helping other moms understand that choosing yourself is not selfish – it’s essential. Her message is rooted in faith over fear, self- advocacy, and the belief that the most important promise you can keep is the one you make to yourself. CONNECT WITH ANDREA Instagram: www.instagram.com/drea_delena Facebook: Andrea Jordan TikTok: drea_delena LinkedIn: Andrea Jordan If this episode resonated with you: -Follow the Autism for Badass Moms Podcast -Leave a review to help other autism moms find this community -Share this episode with a parent who may feel unseen or misunderstood Website: www.autismforbadassmoms.com Follow Us: Instagram: www.instagram.com/theabmpodcast Facebook: www.facebook.com/theabmpodcast

In this episode of Autism for Badass Moms, host Rashidah sits down with entrepreneur, mentor, and autism mom Chastity Hankins for an honest conversation about what happens when the demands of the entertainment and beauty industries collide with the realities of raising a child with autism. Chastity shares her journey from noticing early signs in her son Kobe, through the diagnosis process, and into building her business Bombshell Beautii — all while managing therapy schedules, industry travel, and her own mental health. Chastity shares how she turned survival mode into a blueprint, how pattern recognition keeps her business running, and why she credits her son with choosing her as his mother. In this episode, we discuss: 0:00 - Meet Chastity 1:23 - Noticing the Signs 2:29 - Gaslit 3:01 - Early Intervention 4:35 - Getting the Diagnosis 5:24 - Processing the Diagnosis 6:41 - Finding Purpose in the Journey 8:27 - Family Reaction 10:47 - Family Dynamics 12:46 - Sibling Bond 14:37 - Balancing Business and Motherhood 17:39 - Industry Demands 21:00 - Time Management 22:50 - Torn Between Kids and Career 24:10 - Divine Purpose 27:19 - Getting Your Pink Back 29:08 - The Breaking Point 30:23 - Building Bombshell Beautii 32:55 - Elopement, Safety and Free Resources 34:54 - Finding Community 38:26 - Self-Care 40:55 - Contact Chastity 43:48 - Advice for Moms 48:13 - What Makes Chastity Badass ABOUT OUR GUEST Chastity Hankins is a self-taught hairstylist, entrepreneur, and autism advocate based in Virginia Beach, VA. She is the founder of Bombshell Beautii, offering hair extensions, wigs, and styling services. Her work has been featured on reality television productions, and she is currently expanding into brick-and-mortar beauty supply stores along the East and West Coasts. CONNECT with CHASTITY Website: www.bombshellbeautii.com Instagram: Instagram.com/bombshellbeautii (business) | Instagram.com/blackbarbiebombshell Facebook: Chastity Hankins / Bombshell Beautii Know a mom who's juggling it all? A fellow autism parent? Someone building a business while raising kids? Send this their way — one conversation can change a trajectory. New episodes every Tuesday. If this episode resonated with you: -Follow the Autism for Badass Moms Podcast -Leave a review to help other autism moms find this community -Share this episode with a parent who may feel unseen or misunderstood Website: www.autismforbadassmoms.com Follow Us: Instagram: www.instagram.com/theabmpodcast Facebook: www.facebook.com/theabmpodcast

In this episode of Autism for Badass Moms, host Rashidah sits down with Lekana Williams, a wife and mother of two sons, ages 26 and 14. Her eldest son received his autism diagnosis at 23, while her youngest was diagnosed at 11. Lekana opens up about raising two sons with very different autism journeys and the unique challenges of navigating diagnosis, motherhood, and acceptance through the lens of her African American community. Together, Rashidah and Lekana discuss the silence and stigma that can exist around autism in Black families, the expectations parents may have for their children before diagnosis, and the importance of creating space for honest conversations across generations. Lekana also shares how she learned to embrace her sons’ individuality, find gratitude in their journey, and encourage them to be proud of exactly who they are. In this episode, we discuss: 0:00 — Meet Lekana 1:00 — Oldest son and early signs 5:11 — Processing guilt and grief 10:26 — Meltdowns, work struggles, and getting an adult evaluation 14:12 — Community denial and fear of stigma 17:37 — Youngest son's ADHD and Autism diagnosis story 20:02 — Incident at school 26:42 — School supports, IEPs, and bullying 30:11 — Connecting with each son emotionally 34:09 — African American community and mental health 43:26 — Relief through son's therapy sessions 45:17 — Career as a hairstylist and model 49:39 — Advice for moms afraid of stigma 54:33 — What makes Lekana badass Connect with Lekana: Instagram: Instagram.com/LekanaWill Modeling inquiries: [email protected] If this episode resonated with you: -Follow the Autism for Badass Moms Podcast -Leave a review to help other autism moms find this community -Share this episode with a parent who may feel unseen or misunderstood Follow Us: Instagram: www.instagram.com/theabmpodcast Facebook: www.facebook .com/theabmpodcast