EP. 5: Not Broken, Brilliant, A Latina Moms Autism Journey

I’ve worn many hats in my life — HR leader, career coach, nonprofit founder — but the hat that has shaped me the most is the one I never expected: autism mom. And in this week’s episode, I take off the HR hat and speak from the most vulnerable, powerful part of me — motherhood.Autism isn’t something you prepare for. There’s no manual, no perfect parenting script, and no “right” way to do it. You learn through tears, confusion, joy, fear, and more patience than you ever imagined you had. And if you’re a Latina mom, you already know that this journey comes with extra layers — cultural stigma, delayed diagnoses, language barriers, and systems that weren’t built with our families in mind.In this episode, I walk you through the very start of my son’s journey — the early signs, the missed milestones, the evaluations, the pushback from pediatricians, the ECI process, the missteps in the school system, and finally… the autism diagnosis. I share the moment my vision of motherhood shattered and rebuilt itself into something more resilient and more sacred.I also talk about how becoming an autism mom transformed my career. My HR work became more human-centered. My leadership became more inclusive. My advocacy at work became stronger — because everything I do now is rooted in the future I want for my son.If you are an autism mom, a Latina mom, or a mamá who feels overwhelmed and guilty for wanting both a thriving family and a thriving career… this episode is for you. You are not alone. You are your child’s best advocate. And your baby is not broken — they are brilliant, wired for something powerful, and deserving of a world that understands them.Let’s walk this journey together, mamá.Autism statistics & diagnosis realities for Latino familiesEarly Childhood Intervention (ECI)ARD/IEP school meetings and parent advocacy tipsUnderstanding autism strengths, hyperfocus, and developmental differencesResources Mentioned:The Estresada to Employed WorkbookFollow Flaka on:Instagram @‌hr.mami  Instagram: @itsflakagTikTok: @itsflakagYouTube: Flaka Martinez LinkedIn: Janet Martinez Website:https://www.hrmami.com/ How to work with Flaka:Sign up for Flaka’s Career Coaching Services here! Sign up for Flaka’s HR Consulting Services here! Sign up for Flaka’s Personal Development Services here!Resources Mentioned

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