Jeanne worked for a government agency for more than twenty years. She loved her career working with international communities and providing services to them and their families. She had the ideal work schedule, in at 8 and out by 5. That schedule is great for a single person, but it’s not always conducive to raising a family. This scheduled made it difficult for her to balance her duties as a wife and mom of three. 

In this episode of the Authentic Wellness Podcast, Jeanne Petit, a single mother of three, shares how she noticed her son was hitting milestones at a slower pace than his siblings did. She noticed her son didn’t hold eye contact well nor did he respond when his name was called. 

Here is a list of symptoms to look for in your baby or toddler if you believe they may be showing signs of autism:

• Limited speech
• Rarely smiling
• Difficulty following objects with eyes
• Being upset by change
• Difficulty following simple verbal instructions

This isn’t an exhaustive list, but it is a place to start if you are concerned. The presence or absence of these signs shouldn’t immediately make you believe your child has autism. Be sure to refer to your child’s medical provider for guidance. 

In Jeanne’s case, her son was diagnosed with autism. Although there were signs early on, the diagnosis was official at the age of nine. In school, he was placed in a special needs class. As a mother, Jeanne preferred for him to be in a class with children that were in traditional classes. Getting him what he needed was more difficult than she anticipated so Jeanne showed up. She scheduled and attended IEP (Individualized Education Program) meetings. Jeanne also worked with the district to ensure her son’s rights were respected. 

When Jeanne moved to South Florida, it was also a blessing to have her parents available to assist with the care of her three children. Jeanne’s parents, who migrated to the states from Haiti and were retired from their missionary careers, are able to immerse the children in the culture of their home country. This will help them to revere the traditions and observances of Haitian culture. 

While all of this was happening, Jeanne worked odd jobs like being a virtual assistant and a translator for people who speak Haitian Creole and French. One day, she was approached by a woman who introduced Jeanne to a business opportunity that provides financial education for families. Jeanne was so impressed, she decided to take an active role in her financial freedom and teach other families how to do the same. 

This benefitted Jeanne’s mission twofold. She was able to work with families to help them become financially self-sufficient and teach them how to support children with neurodivergence. When financial needs are taken care of, as a parent, you worry less and can concentrate more on the family unit. When everything else falls away, the family unit is what’s most important. 

Connect with Jeanne directly by clicking on the links below. Be sure to tell her you heard about her on The Authentic Wellness Podcast.