In this episode of Autism for Badass Moms, host Rashidah speaks with Eugenia Woods, a mother, grandmother, and advocate from Long Island, New York, whose autism parenting journey was shaped by bullying, grief, homeschooling, and a difficult encounter with Child Protective Services.
After her son Juan received an autism diagnosis at age 9,Eugenia found herself fighting for his educational needs while navigating multiple personal and family challenges.
When the school system failed to provide the support he needed, she made the courageous decision to homeschool him for six years—despite facing scrutiny and resistance along the way.
Eugenia shares her story of resilience, advocacy, anddetermination, offering hope to parents who are fighting for their children while trying to hold themselves together.
In this episode, we discuss:
0:00 – Intro & welcome
0:50 – Being a parent of color in the autism space
2:20 – Stigma in Black & Brown communities
3:40 – Sensory tools & educating family
4:58 – Early signs at ages 2–3
6:05 – Juan's late diagnosis at age 9
6:40 – Fighting for a neuropsych eval
10:20 – Navigating IEP meetings
11:35 – Bias from school professionals
13:10 – Your right to record meetings
14:20 – Being dismissed as a Black mother
17:57 – CPS called by the school
18:41 – Going to court against the district
19:15 – When did the signs first appear?
23:20 – The pediatrician who actually listened
26:00 – School anxiety, regression & bullying
28:10 – "I'm sad and no one cares"
31:45 – CPS case resolved
32:50 – Homeschooling begins
34:41 – 6 years of homeschooling
38:00 – Finding resources at the library
41:33 – 18 rejections; Gersh Academy says yes
42:48 – Juan thrives; the teacher who changed everything
45:40 – Pursuing Juan's GED during COVID
47:13 – Waiting for the results
48:44 – He passed!
49:40 – Loss & grief during the pandemic
51:21 – Juan's suicidal ideation
53:20 – A mother's heartbreak
53:51 – Eugenia's COVID hospitalization & kidney failure
56:20 – "Mom, who will care for me when you'regone?"
57:15 – Healing through community & faith
59:40 – Juan's gift: tech skills & purpose
1:00:12 – Eugenia's liturgical dance ministry
1:02:20 – Laughing with Juan now
1:04:50 – Hiding her illness from her kids
1:07:10 – Give yourself 5 minutes
1:09:15 – Finding herself again at 50
1:10:30 – Becoming a grandmother
1:11:05 – First college grad in the family
1:14:31 – How to connect with Eugenia
1:15:10 – Eugenia's published book
1:17:00 – Women's empowerment organizations
1:18:27 – Emmy-winning play & acting work
1:19:20 – You can't tell God what you won't do
1:23:20 – What being a badass means to Eugenia
1:24:15 – Encouragement for struggling parents
1:25:35 – Outro
Connect with Eugenia:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/genias_gems
Facebook: Genia Lin
Connect with Autism for Badass Moms:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/theabmpodcast
Facebook: www.facebook.com/theabmpodcast
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