Raising a child with special needs can feel like an isolating and difficult experience, with the stigma surrounding it. But, thanks to celebrities like Aubrey Miles and Candy Pangilinan, parents like them raising kids on the autism spectrum feel validated. More so, Filipinos gain a better understanding of this topic.

The celebrity moms share their kids’ autism stories in this episode of Magandang Buhay The Podcast.

Aubrey saw the first signs in her one-year-old daughter Rocket such as not acknowledging her name, no eye contact, lining up toys, and no social skills. She was puzzled, until an early diagnosis confirmed her intuition.

But even after the diagnosis, the denial set in. She refused to talk about it especially on social media. She evaded comments from netizens, who observed that Rocket is exceptional. She would hear misconceptions that perhaps her workout and diet affected the child.

Aubrey felt she needed more time to understand autism, and most of all, accept Rocket’s condition before she opens up about it. Slowly, she realized it’d be better to be honest, so Rocket can show progress and people can understand. “Nando’n na ‘yung acceptance na, ‘Bakit mo ikakahiya?’ Noong shinare namin, actually nag-iba ‘yung tingin ng tao. Nagsa-smile na sila.” She accepted things but admitted there is still fear.

While Aubrey’s journey started with denial, Candy ran to the experts right away.

The first thing Candy did was take her son Quentin to an eye doctor after noticing atypical eye movements, then to a development pediatrician and an occupational therapist until Quentin was diagnosed with autism. It was like “shopping for doctors” in an attempt to get answers. However, even the experts can’t pinpoint a single cause, other than theories including the links with genetics and neurological disorders. What they are sure of is that moms aren’t to be blamed for their child’s disability.

Candy’s situation can be considered extra difficult because she’s raising Quentin as a solo parent. But that didn’t stop her from giving her child a purposeful life. She managed to stay graceful above the challenges.

“Sinabi ko, ‘Okay, Lord. I know everything has a purpose. Hindi ko alam kung ano pero one day I know I will find out,’” Candy looked back, then told Aubrey, “Your burden today will be your blessing tomorrow. Believe me.”

In the Momshie Forum, other moms had the chance to share their empowering journey of raising kids on the autism spectrum. Dang Koe, also a parent of children with special needs, an advocate of autism awareness, and Chair Emeritus of Autism Society Philippines also discussed the proper ways to respond when a child goes through a meltdown.

Listen to Magandang Buhay The Podcast hosted by momshies Regine Velasquez, Jolina Magdangal, and Melai Cantiveros.