This Mom's PSA to Parents Who Don't Have Kids With Autism Deserves a Standing Ovation

Jennifer Jeppson isn't afraid to hold back on social media, especially when it comes to discussing her 4- and 6-year-old sons' experiences with autism. In fact, she's so well-versed on the topic, she decided to post an epic PSA about what moms and dads of kids with special needs wished other parents knew on Instagram — and the breakdown is incredible.

"'I couldn't do what you do every day — I'd go crazy' or 'They're lucky they have you because I couldn't do it.' I know those comments are well-meaning. Truly, I do. But frankly, I have never felt like intervening and helping our children was a choice. It's always been something that we've had to do. So we've done it. It's not like lessons or little league where we made a choice to be involved — it's something our children need to have a shot at life. Those comments can feel isolating at times. Maybe say: 'I really admire all you do for your children' or 'They are so lucky to have a mom that loves them so much.' Just make it a positive."

"[Include me in] a meal, send a text, invite me to a girls' night. If you ever have a thought to reach out to a friend or family member who's a parent to a child with special needs, do it! My life gets so bogged down with things that I'm always so grateful for when someone reaches out to me. At times, I can be so drained that I can't even think about maintaining friendships. It's not that I don't want to, but it's hard. Reach out and do."

"If I forget to send a thank you note, am slow to call back or respond to a text, chalk it up to how overwhelmed I am. If I am quiet at a dinner or seem off, I am most likely trying my best to stifle my very tender and raw emotions."

"I'm jealous of your life unencumbered by therapy and doctors and school meetings and evaluations. I'm grateful you don't spend hours on the phone fighting with the insurance company or hours filling out paperwork. You're busy, too. I know you have your hard stuff, too. But you hopefully had a choice to get busy with [stuff], which is such a blessing. The fact that your children can do those things is a blessing, which we can easily forget."

Jennifer told POPSUGAR that making a public account to tackle all things autism-related was a no-brainer. She simply wanted to document what it's like raising Parley and Whitaker, who are both on the spectrum, as well as their 2-year-old daughter, June, who's hitting every developmental milestone on time.

"I wanted and want to share the realities of how autism not only affects my two boys but our entire family," she explained. "Originally, I felt like I was posting about autism-related things on my personal page too much and wanted to document and share our milestones, backslides, and everything in a place where I felt unrestricted. While their diagnoses are the same, the way autism manifests itself in Whitaker and Parley is completely different."

She also wanted her Instagram account to be a place where moms who just received an autism diagnosis can find the answers to the questions Jennifer admits to searching for with her husband Paul when they got the news about their own children.

"When Whitaker was diagnosed five years ago, I was totally lost about what to do or where to start, she said. "Paul and I felt so completely alone and scared. Help from other parents who had a child with autism was key. As he grew, and as Parley got diagnosed, I had the opportunity to reconnect with old friends as they went through struggles similar to mine."

And while no one ever said parenting children with autism was easy, Jennifer admits that the experience has changed her life.