Raising an Autistic Son and Rising From Abuse with Shelly McLaughlin

In this episode of Don’t F*kn Shrink, Daffney Allwein sits down with Shelly McLaughlin, Program Director at Pathfinders for Autism, mom to a 23 year old autistic son, and a fierce advocate for families and communities.

Shelly shares the devastating moment when a doctor told her that her son would never function in society, and how she refused to shrink in the face of that label. From navigating schools to helping Hunter discover his passion in film editing, her story is one of resilience and relentless advocacy.

But Shelly’s path was not without personal hurdles. She bravely opens up about surviving domestic abuse, the red flags she wishes she had recognized sooner, and how isolation can be the most dangerous weapon of an abuser. Today, she uses her voice to train law enforcement, educate schools, and support families so that no one has to feel alone.

👉 You can support Shelly’s work and help families across the country:

• Donate to Pathfinders for Autism, which provides training, resources, and community programs: https://pathfindersforautism.org/donate/
  
  
• Support the Autism Sensory and Communication Bags project, which equips law enforcement with tools to better connect with autistic individuals during emergencies: https://www.towson.edu/iwb/centers/hussman/

SARC is a lifeline for victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, and stalking by providing safe haven, advocacy, resources, and hope in Harford County Maryland. https://www.sarc-maryland.org/

✨ Takeaways:

• How small accommodations can transform an autistic child’s school experience
• Why building community support is the lifeline parents need
• The power of law enforcement training to create safer interactions
• Red flags of narcissistic abuse and why speaking out is survival
• Why not shrinking is the most impactful choice we can make