A Safe, Supportive Space
What began in 2014 as a simple group text between six moms navigating new diagnoses has grown into a private Facebook community of nearly 12,000 members.
Originally created to coordinate Mom’s Night Out gatherings and playdates, AUsome Moms has evolved into something much bigger. We quickly discovered that countless other moms were searching for the same connection, understanding, and encouragement we needed ourselves. As the need grew, so did our community.
Connecting in Real Life
In addition to our online community, we host monthly Mom’s Night Out events at restaurants throughout the metroplex. These gatherings give moms the chance to connect face‑to‑face, recharge, and build meaningful relationships. This local, in‑person connection is a cornerstone of who we are, and it’s why AUsome Moms remains dedicated to serving the DFW community.
Join Our Private FaceBook Community
Our Facebook group has become a trusted place where moms can:
- Seek guidance from others who have walked similar paths
- Celebrate victories—big or small—with people who truly understand their significance
- Share challenges openly and receive compassion, encouragement, and solidarity
- Build friendships that extend beyond the screen
For many, this online space is a lifeline—somewhere they can be honest, vulnerable, and supported without judgment.
We offer a closed, discussion‑based Facebook group for moms and primary caregivers of children and adults on the autism spectrum. If you’d like to join, please send a message through our public Facebook page.
To protect the privacy of our members, the group is limited to mothers and caregivers of individuals on the spectrum. All requests to join must be approved.
Giving Back to Our Families
Through our nonprofit, we fundraise year‑round to host three large free, sensory‑friendly family events each year:
- Our Summer Swim Party
- Our Annual Holiday Party in December
- Our Annual Resource Fair
Over the years, we’ve also provided a wide range of support and scholarships. Our very first giveaway was in October 2018—when we had only a few dollars to our name—and we gifted five weighted blankets and three Kindles just in time for Christmas. Since then, we’ve continued to expand our impact, offering:
- Safety kits for families with elopers
- Angel Tree gifts
- ABA grants
- Sensory bundles
- Meal trains
- Back‑to‑school grants
- Annual swim scholarships
Connecting Families With Resources
Supporting our families also means connecting them with the services they need. In 2018, we hosted our first Autism Resource Fair with just 23 vendors. Since then, the event has quadrupled in size. Each year we welcome a diverse group of participants, including:
- ABA clinics
- Speech and occupational therapy providers
- Summer camps
- Local autism nonprofits
Supporting Moms Directly
A core part of our mission is caring for the caregivers. Our nonprofit allows us to host free, moms‑only events throughout the year—because moms deserve support, too.
Why are these events so important? A study from Boston University found that mothers of autistic children experience stress hormone levels comparable to those seen in chronic stress situations, such as soldiers in combat. While we can’t wave a magic wand and erase that stress, we can give you a night off, a chance to breathe, and a space to feel understood.
Our moms‑only events are designed to refill your cup and help you connect with others who truly get it. From craft days and painting workshops to Mother’s Day tea, our annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Dinner, and The Mommies celebration—these gatherings are our way of spoiling you.
Meet the Team
Kelly
President | Founder | Board of Directors
My name is Kelly. I have two boys, and an incredibly supportive husband. My older son was diagnosed with classic autism at 18 months. We didn’t have anyone in our friend and family circle that had autism or even knew much about it when Bradley was diagnosed, and I felt very lost and alone. I just started pounding the internet looking for a group to join. I found a couple of women with newly diagnosed children in the DFW area and reached out to them. We were all in different parts of the metroplex, but we wanted so badly to have other mom friends to relate to that a little traveling to see each other and have dinners didn’t matter. We would text and email each other, but sometimes it got confusing and sometimes we wanted to share funny autism stories and pictures with each other. So I decided to start a group on Facebook where we could do that. That group grew from 6 moms to where we are now in 10 short years. It really showed me how important this group is. I have heard time and time again "I didn’t have anyone who really understood until I joined this group". That is what makes the time and effort worth it. We now have our 501c3 status, a GREAT board of directors, volunteers and an incredible group of women that are here for each other. The future holds great things for us.
As for myself personally, I am a working mom. I’m a graphic designer for a large home builder. We are active with several different rescues in the DFW area. We have 3 fur babies of our own. We fostered and ran a rescue for 10 years before we had kids and it is still a big part of our lives. Admittedly, AUsome Moms takes up the majority of my free time, but we love filling up our weekends with scuba, soccer games, birthday parties, movies and family fun. We are so lucky to have so many AUsome Moms in our immediate area. It’s rare that a weekend passes that we don’t do something with one of them and their kiddos. The women of AUsome Moms are definitely my second family. My sons are Bradley, who was born in 2009 and ASD, and my son Will, born in 2013, who is neurotypical. I have been married since 1999 to my husband, Brandon, who supports AUsome Moms behind the scenes in more ways than anyone knows. My family all lives out of town, so it is even more important to us that we have this strong and incredible foundation of friends and members of our community to support us.
Vanessa
Vice President | Board of Directors
Hi. My name is Vanessa and I am married to a wonderful man named Micky. We have two amazing little monsters, Nathan (2013), our AUsome son and Joslyn (2016), our diva in training. My career is in the financial services industry and I am the Director of Financial Planning and Client Reporting for a private wealth firm in Southlake..
Our journey started when our son was diagnosed at 2.5 years old. I hit the ground running the day he was diagnosed and haven’t stopped since. But I felt like I was trying to drink from a fire hydrant. So when I saw information about the AUsome Moms Facebook page in Thrive Magazine, I was excited. Here is a local group of other mom’s who have been where I am.
The moms in this group are incredible ladies. Everyone is so willing to share their experiences, the good and the bad, to help other moms. We all come from different beliefs and backgrounds, but we all share a unique bond. We celebrate each other’s triumphs and pick each other up when we’re are having a rough day. It is a safe place for mom’s who get it and I am incredibly lucky to be part of this sisterhood.
I have also been blessed with a strong and supportive extended family. I don’t know where we would be without my parents. They are just so understanding and words could never express my gratitude for them. My sister, who is always willing to watch the kids and probably loves them like her own. My grandparents, in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins – have all been supportive in our journey.
“Autism was a journey I never planned for. But I do love my tour guide.”
Danielle
Secretary | Board of Directors
Hello, my name is Danielle. My husband, Aaron, and I are high school sweethearts and we've lived in Dallas for the last two decades. I've spent the majority of that time as a stay-at-home mom raising our three boys, Izaiah, Kyal, and Eli. We also share our home with our sassy little Shorkie, Miso.
For me, this journey began when Eli was diagnosed with autism at age three. This was overwhelming news, but it lit a fire under me. Parenting a child with high support needs is both challenging and humbling, and I was desperate for help. In my search for resources I stumbled across the AUsome Moms Facebook group, and the rest is history. What started as a search for information became a lifeline, a source of dear friendships, and a community I now call home.
Our two older boys are now in college, and I have the joy of homeschooling Eli. When I'm not in mom mode, you'll find me playing video games with my husband, getting crafty, hanging with my girlfriends, or exploring new places. I joined the AUsome Moms board of directors in 2017, and these days I serve as our Social Media Coordinator. Working behind the scenes creating content and graphics is my happy place, and keeping our community connected, informed, and uplifted is what drives me.
If you are just finding us, welcome. You are in the right place.
Jennifer
Director of Development | Board of Directors
My name is Jennifer and I have been a single, working mom to one amazing young man with autism for over 20 years! Braden was born in 1999 and diagnosed with autism in 2002. At that time there was not a network of other local autism families that I could find. Facebook did not even exist yet, but I did find other online platforms and was able to make connections with people in other states and countries. As my son grew older and Facebook became popular, I stumbled across AUsome Moms when it was in its infancy. I think I was one of the first 100 members, and I had one of the oldest children of people in the group at that time. I did not know a single person in the group, but took a chance and attended a Mom’s Night Out, and the rest is history! This group has brought me care, support, resources and most of all friendship.
In my day job I am an elementary school counselor in a Title 1 school and have been for over 25 years. I also love to travel and take my son with me on global adventures–most recently to Italy and Greece! We also love movies and see new releases almost every week.
I am blessed to have supportive parents nearby who also help out as well as a large network of friends that have always stepped up when I had an urgent need for care or support for my son. I am excited to contribute and support other moms just beginning their journey or entering new phases of their journey through AUsome Moms.
Jessica
Board of Directors
-----
Victoria
Treasurer / Board of Directors
Hi, I’m Victoria, and I’m proud to serve as the Treasurer for AUsome Moms. I’m also a mom to a son on the Autism Spectrum, who has been my greatest teacher and the reason I’m so passionate about this community. Like many moms, I was searching for connection, understanding, and resources—and that journey led me to AUsome Moms.
I joined the AUsome Moms Facebook group in 2024, and it quickly became a place where I felt supported and understood. Not long after, I became an ambassador, wanting to give back to a community that had already given me so much. In 2025, I was honored to join the board where I now serve as Treasurer.
In my role, I help ensure that every dollar we receive is used thoughtfully and transparently to support our mission. As a volunteer-led organization, it’s incredibly meaningful to know that our work directly impacts families through programs like swimming scholarships, resource fairs, and special events for moms and their children.
Outside of AUsome Moms, I work in accounting and bring that experience into my role to help strengthen and grow the organization. I’m passionate about expanding our reach so more families can find the same support and sense of community that I did.
AUsome Moms truly means so much to me—it’s more than a nonprofit, it’s a village. And I’m grateful every day to be part of something that uplifts and supports so many families.
Contact
kelly@ausomemoms.org
AUsome Moms
PO Box 270211
Flower Mound, Texas 75027