Ep. 159 - I Made It Look Easy...It's Not with Maria DeVoe

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