Jamie’s story isn’t too dissimilar to other stories we’ve heard in AutismOklahoma. A first-time mom, left in a whirlwind of confusion and isolation when her son received the autism diagnosis. She didn’t know where to look or who to turn to for information and support for her family, until her friend told her about an autism parent support group that met monthly at the library.
She built up her courage and leaned into the fire inside her that eagerly wanted to find resources for her son, and walked into the library. She navigated to the elevator, punched the number and waited as the doors slowly shut. As the elevator revved awake, the fire within her shook.
“I was scared to go, because I didn’t know anybody, and I was a new mama to this world… I was so nervous,” Jamie explained.
Overcome with anxiety, she felt her body go cold. The elevator slowed to a gentle stop and the bell tolled overhead—she had reached her destination. The doors opened excruciatingly slowly, beckoning her to go forth. But she didn’t move.
“I wasn’t comfortable stepping off, not knowing anybody, and not knowing what information was going to be handed to me… I didn’t have anybody there to support me… it was just a scary adventure… and I was stepping out all by myself.”
Jamie stood silently, her thoughts racing in her mind, the doors still wide open. Eventually, the AutismOklahoma staff member leading the group got on the elevator with Jamie. Jamie recalled the quiet greeting from the woman, neither realizing who the other person was or why they were both on this elevator together. But the inner storm that was building within Jamie was ready to burst, and she opened the floodgates.
“I told her… how nervous I was, and [that I was] scared to get off the elevator.”
What should have been a tense moment between two strangers became something entirely different. Jamie described the warmth of the woman and she immediately turned her attention to the new mother.
“[She was] so kindhearted… and just opened her arms… and treat[ed] me like family. She gave me some encouraging words… I don’t remember exactly what she told me. But I know whatever she told me, it gave me the strength I needed to step off the elevator. And from that point, I never looked back. She gave me the encouragement I needed to step forward, in every journey we took.”
After that fateful day where Jamie stepped off the elevator and got connected with other local families impacted by autism, she felt that fire inside her had more to offer. Jamie started her own parent support group and became the leader of her own community. She described her time leading the parent support group as highly educational, informative and emotionally supportive.
“I think I got as much or more out of my own meetings than the other parents did… it was just a good connection once a month for the kids to come, and the parents to come, and feel safe; and be able to talk about what was going on.”
Looking back at her journey, she attributes her son’s success to her time with AO.
“I would have never got there without AO. I 100% believe that… it was just the kind hearted, family, caring that was within AO that made me realize that… there are connections out there. You just [have] to look for them, and once you find them, you’ve got to grab a hold of them and hang on. It’s a ride, you gotta take the ride.”
Jamie’s message to other parents who are nervous to get connected is: “You’ve got to push yourself. Your kid is worth every ounce of fight you have in you… if you push them and get them the help they need, it’s unbelievable where they can go.”
Peer Connector Education, a reimagined program inspired by parent support groups, will be launching in fall of 2026. If you have a fire within you to facilitate support groups for autistic individuals and their families and create inclusive spaces for social connection, register for our free training in OKC and Tulsa.
