I always saw all the therapies and special support not as a race to fix or cure him, not as tools in an arsenal as if I was fighting a battle against autism, but rather, "I want to get to know my son better, I want to understand him so I can love him better and be a better mother to him."

I've noticed that women have an easier time sacrificing themselves than taking care of themselves. Most of us would rather drop from exhaustion than face the guilt of caring for our own needs. However, when Mom is depleted, the whole household suffers.

So many women lose themselves in motherhood. I call this the "Silent War," the process of slowly fading away from yourself, your interests and your passions without even realizing it's happening.

Because my mother lost herself in motherhood and gave her children everything she had, she forgot to leave much for herself and had to reacquaint herself with the "Me" in Mommy.

When we listen to one another without condemning another's needs, we are all better. We provide a space that is non-judgmental, supportive and provides mothers with the same embrace that they give their families.