Ep. 156 - Breaking Generational Silence: Autism in African American Families with Lekana

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