The Power of Vulnerability: Autism, Motherhood, and Connection with Autism Mom, Jess Caraway

Motherhood in the autism community is not about perfection, it’s about connection. Autism Moms Sarah Kernion of INCHSTONES and Jess Carrawa of 'If You Know One', open a deeply honest conversation about the courage it takes to be vulnerable, especially in a world that often misunderstands both parenting autism and autism motherhood. Their exchange moves through discomfort and into understanding, showing how sharing raw experiences builds a bridge between isolation and belonging. Together, they unpack how community, authenticity, and empathy can transform the weight of parenting into something lighter—something shared. At its heart, this conversation is a portrait of modern motherhood in the age of social media: imperfect, interconnected, and beautifully real. Jess Caraway is a mom of two, an ever-evolving advocate for her autistic daughter, a passionate supporter of all forms of communication, gestalt language detective, and founder of the If You Know One Project. She dreams of a world that understands autism, and accepts accessibility, inclusion, and presuming competence as beneficial for everyone. Jess strives to connect with her Instagram community by sharing a glimpse into her family’s journey with an autistic daughter/sister in a way that inspires others to embrace the perspective shift that just because your experiences look different does not mean they are not still good. Instagram: @jess_ifyouknowone Etsy shop: ifyouknowone.etsy.com Sarah is the writer and host of INCHSTONES: The #1 voice of autism mothers & caregivers of children with profound nonspeaking autism. Chapters (00:00:00) - Jess Caraway on Her Autism Project(00:03:30) - "It's Okay to Be Unhappy on Social Media"(00:07:52) - Open Minded: The Importance of Diversity(00:17:00) - The Ripple Effect of Parenting(00:25:23) - Melissa on her son's autism(00:30:48) - Insurance Parlance