Last Updated on July 7, 2025 by John Hookway
If you’re raising a child with autism, you already know this journey is unlike any other.
The emotional rollercoaster, the sleepless nights, the sensory overload, the therapy schedules, the school meetings — it’s a level of parenting that most people will never truly understand. And in all of it, one thing often gets forgotten:
When your child has a meltdown, you usually…
How supported do you feel by people around you (partner, family, school, etc.)?
When it comes to self-care, you…
How would you describe your sleep lately?
How do you talk to yourself as a parent?
How do you manage therapy appointments, school advocacy, and home routines?
How often do you feel joy with your child?
How would you describe your emotional state most weeks?
What do you need most right now?
Share your Results:
👉 How are you doing, really?
This quiz was created to help you pause and check in — not on your child, but on yourself. Because while you’re pouring your heart into giving them everything they need, you matter too.
Why This Quiz Exists
Let’s be honest: autism parenting is heavy.
Even the most resilient parents hit a point where they’re running on fumes — stuck in survival mode, questioning their choices, and wondering if anyone sees how hard it really is. Others might have found their rhythm but still carry guilt, stress, or uncertainty they don’t always talk about.
And the truth is, no one hands you a survival guide for this.
You’re expected to advocate like a lawyer, stay calm like a therapist, plan like a teacher, regulate emotions like a monk, and love like a parent — every single day.
So we built this quiz to ask one simple question:
🧠 Are you just surviving this journey… or are you actually thriving?
What This Quiz Will Help You Uncover
This isn’t just a fun personality test. It’s a mirror.
By answering 10 honest questions about your mental health, daily stress levels, support systems, and emotional resilience, you’ll get a snapshot of where you are right now — and what you might need more of.
You’ll discover:
- How close (or far) you are from burnout
- Whether you’re holding it together or truly doing well
- The hidden emotional patterns you might not notice in your day-to-day
- Your real level of support, energy, and joy — not just how you appear to others
And most importantly:
What you can do next to feel better — without judgment or pressure.
The Four Parenting States
Your result will land in one of four categories:
🟢 Thriving
You’re not just functioning — you’ve found a sustainable rhythm that works for both you and your child. You’ve built tools, boundaries, and routines that support your emotional health. You’ve learned how to ride the waves without drowning in them. Even on hard days, you find light.
🟡 Balancing
You’re holding it together — barely some days, more confidently on others. You’re doing a lot right, but maybe not getting enough support, sleep, or grace. Your parenting may feel like a juggling act, and you know something needs to shift before burnout hits.
🔴 Burned Out
You’re running on empty. The stress, the guilt, the pressure — it’s all building up, and it’s taking a toll. You may feel resentful, emotionally shut down, or numb. It’s not because you’re failing — it’s because this is hard, and you’re doing it mostly alone.
⚫ Barely Holding On
You’ve moved past burnout and into survival mode. You’re not okay, and you don’t even know where to begin fixing it. You may feel alone, invisible, or ashamed. This result isn’t here to scare you — it’s here to tell you: You’re not alone. And you can come back from this.
Is This Just for Parents With an Autism Diagnosis?
Nope.
This quiz is for:
- Parents of kids officially diagnosed with autism
- Parents in the evaluation or pre-diagnosis phase
- Parents of kids who might be autistic but aren’t sure yet
- Parents of kids with co-occurring challenges like ADHD, anxiety, or SPD
- Any caregiver who feels the pressure of parenting a child who doesn’t “fit the mold”
You don’t need a label to be exhausted. And you don’t need a diagnosis to feel like you’re drowning.
Why This Quiz Matters So Much
When you’re raising a neurodivergent child, people focus on what your child needs. But few ever ask what you need.
You get:
- Parenting advice from people who don’t get it
- Guilt for losing your temper when you’re sleep-deprived
- Pressure to show up at 100% when you’re barely at 20%
- Judgment for not “fixing” behavior fast enough
- Loneliness that no one talks about
This quiz exists to push pause on that noise. To let you say:
“Hey… I matter, too.”
What You’ll Get After the Quiz
After your result, you’ll receive:
- A full breakdown of where you landed and what it means
- Honest advice tailored to your emotional state
- Easy next steps to care for your own mental health
Optional free resources:
- Printable meltdown support guides
- Burnout recovery tips
- Parent check-in sheets
- Self-regulation tools
- Links to real parent communities
Because once you know where you stand, you can stop guessing — and start growing, resting, or asking for help.
A Final Note — From One Parent to Another
Whether you’re thriving, barely holding on, or somewhere in between — you’re doing more than most people will ever understand.
And if you’ve made it to this quiz, you’re already doing something powerful: checking in on you.
You are not weak for feeling tired. You are not selfish for needing space. You are not broken if you’re struggling to smile.
You are a human, raising a neurodivergent child in a world that rarely makes it easy.
So let this quiz be your starting point. Your mirror. Your invitation to take a breath and say:
“I need support, too. And I deserve it.”
